Remulla refused to further state what the video contains, but he said it has probative value in the ongoing investigation.
“Walang motive na sinabi pero ‘yung kausap nila was on video… a live conversation happened on video with the person na tinuturo (na mastermind),” Remulla said.
(No motive was mentioned but the man they were talking to was captured on video… a live conversation happened on video with the person being pointed to as the mastermind.)
“There’s a statement already to the effect that there was a mastermind, but we have to evaluate it properly,” he added.
With the accounts of the arrested suspects, Remulla expressed belief that the investigation is nearing the end.
“Malapit na ho itong masarado except for all the perpetrators that have not been rounded up,” he said.
(The case is closer to being closed except for all the perpetrators that have not been rounded up.)
Authorities have neutralized five of the gunmen during Saturday’s shooting of Degamo in Pamplona town — four were arrested while one was killed. More than five suspects were still subject of manhunt.
The suspects were transferred to Manila for security purposes. Two of them were considered to be placed under the witness protection program.
They were charged for multiple murder and frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Aside from Degamo, eight others, including innocent civilians, were killed during the incident.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered the relief of all personnel of the Bayawan City Police Station, which consists of 75 personnel including its chief of police Lieutenant Colonel Rex Aboy Moslares who will be replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Amamaguid from Cebu.
The PNP said initial ballistic examination also revealed that recovered bullets from the body of Degamo came from one of the assault rifles recovered from the suspects during the hot pursuit operations.
The owners of the vehicles were also identified and are being investigated for their possible involvement in the crime. (SunStar Philippines)