MANILA, Philippines — All 10 accused gunmen in the so-called Pamplona Massacre have now affirmed the recantation of their statements naming suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. as the mastermind of the March 4 attack that killed former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
In yesterday’s preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ), former soldiers Winrich Isturis, Joric Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, Eulogio and John Louie Gonyong affirmed their recantations through teleconference.
Their action followed those of gunmen Joven Javier, Dahniel Lora, Romel Pattaguan, Jhudiel Rivero and Rogelio Antipolo Jr. who reaffirmed their affidavits of recantation before the panel of prosecutors last week.
Marvin Miranda, the alleged ringleader of the group, never cooperated with authorities.
Teves’ lawyer Andres Manuel said the developments arm their legal team with enough basis to question the murder and multiple murder charges against their client.
“As we said previously, we think that the main case or this case is anchored in the statements of the 10 recanters. So, if there’s no (witness left among the 10), we believe that is enough to question whether it is right to pursue the charges against the congressman,” Manuel told reporters in Filipino.
Asked about the next steps they would take, Manuel said they have yet to decide whether they would file a motion for reconsideration for the denial of their bid to have the Office of the Ombudsman hear Teves’ case instead of the DOJ or to file a counter-affidavit for the charges before the panel of prosecutors.
“We will base our decisions on the documents we have. We will review this rigorously and whatever document we will file, we’ll be ready to have it filed by July 17,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation has filed additional evidence, including clearer copies of photographs and footage of the crime scenes.