09/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE | DOJ Secures Conviction of Three Accused in Fi***rm, Explosive Cases Linked to Degamo Shooting
The Department of Justice (DOJ) secured the conviction of Joric Garrido Labrador, Joven Calibjo Javier, and Benjie Rodriguez in separate cases involving the unlawful possession of a fi***rm and am******on under Section 28 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Fi***rms and Am******on Regulation Act, and the unlawful possession of explosives under Section 3 of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1866, as amended by RA No. 9516, in connection with the 04 March 2023 shooting at the residence of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manila, Branch 40 found that the crimes of unlawful possession of a fi***rm and am******on under Section 28 of RA No. 10591, as well as the unlawful possession of explosives under Section 3 of PD No. 1866, as amended, were proven beyond reasonable doubt.
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. Authorities recovered a .45 caliber pistol, two magazines, 14 rounds of live am******on, and two hand grenades from the three accused.
The Court upheld the validity of the warrantless arrests, ruling that the circumstances formed a continuous sequence of events from the shooting, CCTV review, and pursuit of the getaway vehicles, which determined that the recovered items were properly identified and their handling was sufficiently established through the testimonies of the police officers and other witnesses.
Labrador was sentenced to 8 to 10 years of imprisonment for unlawful possession of fi***rm and am******on, while the two other accused were each sentenced to reclusion perpetua for unlawful possession of explosives.
“Impunity should never triumph over justice. We shall hold accountable anyone who transgresses the rule of law,” DOJ Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said.
