Teves, after hiding for 2 years, seeks speedy trial
Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., in Philippine custody after hiding overseas for two years, was brought on Friday to his detention cell at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). He has sought for a speedy judicial process, saying his “conscience is clear.”
“The truth is I’m not happy that I would be detained even though I’m not yet convicted,” Teves said during a news conference at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters where he made his first public appearance since he sought asylum in 2023 in Timor-Leste.
“I know that my conscience is clear. So my [request to the court] is that the process will be quick so I can get this over with,” he added.
Various charges in 5 courts
Teves, 53, would have to face trial soon as the NBI prepares to inform various courts of its custody of the expelled lawmaker.
He is facing 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder at Branch 51 of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC); a murder case each at Manila RTC Branch 12, Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan City RTC Branch 63 in Negros Oriental; illegal possession of firearms and explosives at Manila RTC Branch 12; and charges of violations of Republic Act No. 10168, or the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, at Quezon City RTC Branch 77.
Teves, who is also a subject of a red notice from the International Criminal Police Organization, is accused of masterminding the 2023 murder of his political rival Roel Degamo, then the Negros Oriental governor. The attack on the Degamo household killed nine others.
Authorities later found high-powered weapons and ammunition in Teves’ family compound, which was the basis of the charges against him for illegal possession of firearms and explosives. In June 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council declared Teves and his supposed armed group as a terrorist organization
Solo room at BuCor
Teves said his decision to take refuge in another country was triggered by fears for his safety, saying: “My concern was really my life.”
Asked whether he is ready to face Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the widow of the slain governor, Teves said: “There’s no problem. I can face anybody.”
According to Director Jaime Santiago on Friday, the NBI would return the warrants of arrest against Teves to the respective courts, which would then acquire jurisdiction over the congressman after the arraignment for each of the cases has been set. “That would set the ball rolling,” he added.
Rejecting any perception of “VIP treatment,” the NBI chief said Teves would have a “solo room” at the BuCor facility so that he would be “acclimatized” as a detainee.
Santiago also clarified that the NBI currently has no detention facility of its own since its old building on Taft Avenue was demolished in 2023. It has since asked BuCor for a temporary space in the compound that separates detainees with pending cases from those who have been convicted and imprisoned, he noted.
Enforcing the law
In Malacañang, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Erel Cabatbat rejected claims that Teves was abducted by Timorese authorities before he was flown back to the country.
“We are just enforcing our laws. Warrants of arrest have been issued and we need to serve them,” Cabatbat said at a press briefing on Friday.
“And if you’re familiar with court proceedings, we need to return the warrants to the courts that issued them,” he added.
The Palace official, who joined the “extraction team” that flew to Timor-Leste on Thursday to take custody of Teves, said President Marcos was “closely keeping watch” as soon as they left for Dili aboard a Philippine Air Force plane that took off from Davao City.
Cuffs not removed
Cabatbat said that Teves, upon his turnover to Philippine authorities, requested for his handcuffs to be removed. But NBI officials rejected this as part of security protocol in arresting fugitives.
Teves underwent the usual protocols, such as biometrics, medical examination and taking of mug shots, upon his arrival at the NBI past 12 midnight. He then reunited with his mother, Zenaida Teves, who has not seen him in the last two years. His father passed away in December last year.
He was turned over to the Philippine government on an administrative order issued by the Timorese government, tagging him as an undocumented alien with multiple criminal complaints. It took effect immediately on Wednesday.
His continued stay in Timor-Leste was seen by President Jose Ramos-Horta as a potential risk to the national security and interests of the island state as well as a “disruptive factor” in its bilateral ties with the Philippines.
Timor-Leste also factored in its plan to gain full admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by October this year. —WITH A REPORT FROM MARLON RAMOS
