THE Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) yesterday said Rep. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. of the TGP party-list group is not affiliated with the Teves terrorist group which it earlier sanctioned.
“In response to recent discussions, we wish to clarify the ATC’s designation of the Teves Terrorist Group. The ATC’s designation is targeted, based on credible intelligence. It solely involves Mr. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and Mr. Henry Pryde Teves. There is no connection to Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. of the TGP Partylist,” the ATC said in a one-page briefer.
‘To reiterate, Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. is not a member nor affiliated with the Teves Terrorist Group,” it added.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla did not explain why the ATC decided to issue the clarification. But the party-list representatives, in a privilege speech in March, said his name is being dragged in the issue of the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, which is being blamed on now expelled Negros Oriental Rep Arnolfo Teves Jr.
The ATC earlier designated Arnolfo Teves, who was expelled by the House of Representatives as representative of Negros Oriental’s third district last month, as a terrorist and leader of an alleged armed group after finding “probable cause” to warrant such tag.
His brother and 11 others were also designated as terrorists.
Murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder charges have been filed by the Department of Justice against the expelled congressman over the March 4 attack that killed Degamo and nine others.
Teves Jr. is also facing murder charges over the 2019 killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental.
The expelled lawmaker professed his innocence in the killings even as he refused to return to the country to face the charges.
