Three Convicted in Cases Linked to Degamo Slay

THREE men linked to the fatal shooting of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel R. Degamo were convicted in separate cases involving illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and unlawful possession of explosives. The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 40 found Joric G. Labrador, Joven C. Javier and Benjie B. Rodriguez guilty beyond reasonable doubt, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said in a statement Wednesday. Mr. Degamo was distributing aid at his Pamplona residence when gunmen opened fire, killing him and nine others on March 4, 2023. Authorities recovered a .45-caliber Springfield Armory pistol, two magazines, 14 rounds of live ammunition and two hand grenades from the three men, the DoJ said. “The law enforcement officers were immediately notified of the shooting of Gov. Degamo and other victims in Pamplona, Negros Oriental and conducted the investigation thereat,” the department said. Mr. Labrador was sentenced to eight to 10 years in prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The court also barred him from applying for a license to possess firearms and ordered his existing firearms licenses revoked. Mr. Javier and Mr. Rodriguez were each sentenced to reclusion perpetua, or jailtime of 20 years and one day up to 40 years, for illegal possession of explosives. The court upheld the validity of the warrantless arrests, finding that they followed a single chain of events from the shooting and CCTV review to the pursuit of the getaway vehicles. “Impunity should never triumph over justice. We shall hold accountable anyone who transgresses the rule of law,” Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said. — Mark Joseph M. Sanchez