The Department of Justice yesterday said it is considering placing suspects in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo under an international lookout bulletin.

According to DoJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Mico Clavano yesterday the move will put “further precautions” in the case.

He said Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves Jr. is still considered a mastermind in the killing of Degamo on 4 March, an allegation vehemently denied by his camp.

The Philippine National Police said there are still five suspects and 12 John Does to be accounted for.

Clavano said DoJ plans to place the suspects under the lookout bulletin next week.

Steps readied

“So all those linked to the Degamo slay, we have taken concrete steps to issue an international lookout bulletin, we talked about it to put people in the blue list, to Interpol ‘no — Blue Notice,” Clavano said.

A Blue Notice under Interpol allows Philippine authorities to place the suspects under monitoring and collect information on their whereabouts and activities when they travel abroad.

“Although they will be put in the international lookout bulletin, we have records where they traveled, the date they leave the country — that is the relevant data that we can get will be put into the lookout bulletin,” he added.

“Just so that we are aware of the movements of our respondents who may very well be involved in the Degamo slay and may be vital in our investigation,” he said.

The solon has yet to return from an overseas trip.

Teves earlier requested Speaker Martin Romualdez for a two-month leave of absence from the House of Representatives beginning 9 March, citing a security threat to his life.

While there may be calls to have the lawmaker deported to the Philippines, Clavano said the DOJ is not yet keen to go to that.

Clavano said they want to exhaust all our remedies so as not to go that route to request deportation. As of right now, Speaker Romualdez and Secretary Remulla is calling for him to go home of his own volition,” he said.