THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has set on July 17 another hearing on the multiple murder charges filed against suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in connection with the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo and several others.
According to attorney Andres Manuel they are considering whether to submit a counter-affidavit or another form of pleading.
The defense counsel said five additional suspects involved in the killings have officially retracted their previous statements during the preliminary investigation conducted on Monday by the Department of Justice.
The recent development brought the total number of detained suspects who have recanted their statements to 10.
Manuel said the suspects named Benjie Rodriguez, Eulogio Gonyon, John Louie Gonyon, Winrich Isturis, and Joric Labrador affirmed their recantations through the online platform Zoom.
The five submitted their sworn affidavits during the panel hearing.
Last week, Romel Pattaguan, Dahniel Lora, Osmundo Rivero, Joven Javier, and Rogelio Antipolo also confirmed their recantations.
Teves consistently denied any involvement in the killing of Degamo.
