A congressman confirmed that one of the suspects in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo was his security escort. But the suspect- also confirmed to be a former soldier- was fired after allegedly testing positive in a drug test.
In a report by Cyril Chaves on GMA Regional TV News this Tuesday, the arrested suspect, Joric Labrador, appeared to be a Cagayan de Oro City resident.
Labrador is among the four suspects arrested by the authorities in a hot pursuit operation after armed men entered his house and killed Degamo in Pamplona last Saturday.
Cagayan de Oro City Representatives Rufus Rodriguez confirmed that Labrador had been his security escort for three years.
But he fired him when he tested positive for drugs.
Labrador was also confirmed as a former soldier and member of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Cagayan de Oro City.
Before being dismissed from the service in 2014 for being AWOL (absence without leave), Labrador was a member of the military intelligence battalion.
Suspect in Degamo killing former staff of a solon
Despite this, Major Francisco Garello, spokesperson of the 4th ID, Phil Army, assured that they would continue to protect the people and respect human rights.
Labrador’s wife could not believe the crime that her husband was involved in.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor filed the charge of murder and frustrated murder in the Tanjay City Regional Trial Court against the four suspects in the killing of Degamo and other victims.
In a statement this Tuesday, the Department of Justice said the case was filed against Labrador, Joven Calibjo Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, Osmundo Rojas Rivero, and 12 John Does.
Cases of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives were also filed against three people in the Bayawan City Regional Trial Court.
“Well, there are already… three counts of murder against the four respondents and then another three counts of illegal possession of firearms have also been filed. So those cases are already in court,” said DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano.
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