MANILA (UPDATE)– The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday said the assault rifle that killed Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was found along with other guns confiscated during the hot pursuit operations after he was killed.

PNP Spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said the rifle was among the 4 recovered on March 5, hours after hot pursuit operations were mounted to find the governor’s killers.

The guns were confiscated along with rifle grenade launchers during their operation in Bayawan City.

“‘Yung mga na-recover na assault rifle doon sa mga naarestong suspects after nila mahuli, nag-match doon sa cross-matching at ballistic na isa doon ay ginamit sa pagpatay kay Governor Degamo,” Fajardo said in a phone interview.

“Isa sa mga na-recover na ‘yun, nag-match doon sa mga bala na tumama kay Governor Degamo.”

“Sa hot pursuit operations, hindi sa raid. Walang kinalaman [ito] sa raid… six hours after ng nangyari, nag-conduct ng hot pursuit,” she said.

• Negros Oriental Gov. Degamo killed in armed attack at home

During a media briefing earlier in the day, Fajardo said the Special Investigation Task Group was “positive” that one of the assault rifles they recovered was used to kill Degamo.

Some guns and vehicles used for the murder are still undergoing investigation, she said.

In a text message, she added that the guns found in the houses of Rep. Arnie Teves and his close associates through a search warrant "have yet to be submitted for cross-matching and/or ballistics examination pending presentation of the same (as evidence) to the court which issued the search warrant."

Authorities were able to find 10 short firearms, 6 rifles, 19 long magazines, pieces of ammunition, and over 100 cartridge cases, among others, during the raid in Teves and his cohorts’ houses this week, she said in a briefing earlier in the day.

• DOJ chief sees conspiracy, 'multiple masterminds' in Degamo murder

“Walang kinalaman ang search warrant doon (assault rifle confiscated), para malinaw. Hot pursuit operations [ito nahanap].”

Two task forces have been ordered created by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Saturday to instill order in Negros province and find out missing links into the killing of the governor, which he considered as an ally.

Video from PTV

Editor's note: The earlier version of this story stated that none of the guns seized in Rep. Teves and his close associates' properties were used to kill Degamo. This update clarifies that these have yet to be submitted for cross-matching and/or ballistics examination.