NEGROS Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. may be just one of several masterminds in the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Monday.

Remulla told reporters the Department of Justice (DoJ) investigators believe there were more than just one person who ordered the killing of Degamo on March 4.

“Three, maybe four. We don’t know yet. We have to get the facts together, but at least two, maybe three,” Remulla said.

Except for Teves, he did not name the other suspected masterminds, but said they were active on social media.

“They can be contacted, I think. They are always on social media. ‘Yung isa nagtext sa akin. Congressman Teves texted me,” Remulla said.

“I think they’re being considered as masterminds, but I don’t know yet,” he said. “I have to get into the panel of prosecutors. But right now, the way it is progressing, that’s the direction we’re heading.”

He said a criminal organization could be behind the murder of Degamo, and that some of the suspected masterminds could be the “top people” in the organization.

He said the group is involved in the numerous killings in Negros Oriental in the past and numerous criminal activities including illegal gambling.

Remulla also said there were two previous attempts to kill Degamo. One involved the assassin using a rifle grenade and the other a sniper with orders to take out the governor.

The governor, Remulla said, had long been complaining about the threats to his life but did not take them seriously because such threats were not uncommon for a politician.

Teves, through his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, has denied any part in the Degamo murder. The House of Representatives has suspended him for 60 days for his refusal to return home after his 30-day authorized leave lapsed.

DoJ spokesman Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said on Monday that murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder charges will be filed against six more suspects in the Degamo case.

Clavano said state prosecutors have recommended the filing of nine counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and three counts of attempted murder against Jessie Boy-ay, Jose Marie Ramirez, Jomar Canseco, Crispin Vallega, Jerome Maquiling, Florence Quinikito, Joseph Renada and Michael Fabugais.

This will bring to 10 the suspects indicted in the case.

A frustrated murder charge will be filed against another suspect, Diomedes Omatang, Clavano said.

Already charged with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder before the Regional Trial Court of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, were Joric Labrador, 50, of Cagayan de Oro City; Joven Aber, 42, of Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Oriental; and Benjie Rodriguez, 45, of Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental and Osmundo Rojas Rivero.

They are all in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Two of the four suspects named Congressman Teves as the mastermind in the killing.

The House of Representatives has suspended Teves for 60 days for “disorderly behavior” in refusing to return home and perform his duties.

Teves was in the United States for a 30-day medical leave when Degamo was murdered. He has refused to come home despite the lapse of his travel authority.

Remulla said the complaints in the Degamo slay could be filed “by Thursday or Friday or within this week. It is just that the prosecutors are now in Davao City for an activity.”

He said 11 suspects may be charged first, but Teves will not be among them.

The naming of Teves as a respondent “will depend on the decision of the panel of prosecutors if it is timely to file a case against him based on the evidence we have on hand,” said Remulla.