THE PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) yesterday belied allegations it was pressuring three persons, arrested in a recent raid on a sugar mill owned by former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, to tag Teves and his brother, suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, as the ones who ordered them to bury firearms and ammunition seized during the operation.
“There is no truth to the allegations raised by those arrested,” said CIDG public information Lt. Col. Marrisa Bruno in Filipino, referring to the allegation of security agency owner Nigel Electona, security guard Jeson Baillo Timtim, and firetruck driver Dionilo Mayagma Jr.
The suspects’ lawyer, Mechael Mella, on Wednesday said his clients told him they were being pressured to say the Teves brothers ordered them to bury the firearms.
“We are not pressuring or forcing any of them,” said Bruno.
Bruno said the suspects, who are under CIDG custody, are allowed to meet and talk with their lawyer. “In fact, they were visited several times by their lawyer,” he Bruno.
On Mella’s pronouncement that they are planning to file charges against the CIDG policemen, Bruno said, “We are not in control of their decision and we know that it’s the job of every lawyer to defend their clients.”
Bruno said the CIDG has strong case against the three suspects. Police have filed charges against the three, along with Pryde Henry Teves, last Monday.
On March 24, CIDG operatives raided the sugar mill in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental and seized 15 rifles and handguns, 9,615 assorted ammunition, and P18 million in cash, among others. Subsequent searches resulted in the recovery of more buried firearms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices which were buried.
Electona, Timtim and Mayagma were arrested on the day of the raid as they were inside the compound. Pryde Teves was not around but was charged because he was named in the search warrant.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, in an ambush interview on Wednesday, said he was going to look into Mella’s statement about his clients claim of being pressured by the police.
“That we have to validate because its possible its only hearsay. But definitely, on the part of the PNP, the investigation has been turned over to the NBI so I don’t know if there truth to what the lawyer of Nigel (and the others) is saying,” said Azurin.
STATEMENTS
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said at least 10 statements of suspects linked Rep Teves to the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and eight provincial government employees and civilians.
Remulla earlier this week said Rep Teves is “being considered” a mastermind in the killing.
Two of the arrested suspects have also said Rep Teves ordered the hit on Degamo.
“It is there in the statements. The statements that were issued so far point to a certain involvement on his part. Nine or 10 statements that we hold on,” Remulla told reporters in an ambush interview when asked about the circumstances that would show Teves’ alleged involvement in Degamo’s murder.
Asked if it would be enough to indict the suspended lawmaker, Remulla said he would leave the matter to the panel of prosecutors handling the case.
“It may be enough depending on the requirement of the panel of prosecutors but it’s better if we can further the information there,” he said, without elaborating on what are those statements.
Remulla said charges may be filed today before the courts against the 10 suspects in NBI custody but, when pressed if Rep Teves would be included as respondents, he has yet to talk to the panel of prosecutors.
“Hopefully, we can file it tomorrow. I don’t know (if Teves is included) I haven’t spoken to the panel of prosecutors,” he added.
Four suspects were arrested hours after the attack on Degamo’s residence, one was killed after firing at pursuing military and police team, while six have surrendered.
INTERPOL
Remulla said the NBI will ask the Interpol soon to issue a “blue notice” against Teves following his failure to return to the country amid allegations of his involvement in the Degamo killing.
“We are giving notice to Interpol that somebody is investigating somebody for the commission of a crime. It means everywhere he passes he will be ask questions by Interpol,” he explained, adding that it will be up to the NBI through its international division that will make the necessary arrangements on the matter.
Teves did not return to the country after his House-issued clearance to go to the United States to undergo medical treatment lapsed on March 9. He also disregarded two deadlines to report to the House, the first deadline was on March 15 and then a 24-hour ultimatum issued last March 20.
This prompted the House to suspend him for 60 days.
CARETAKER
Speaker Martin Romualdez will act as the caretaker of Negros Oriental’s third legislative district for two months while Rep. Teves is suspended.
“In the interest of the people of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, the undersigned shall act as the legislative caretaker of the third district of Negros Oriental for the period 23 March 2023 to 22 May 2023. This order takes effect immediately,” the Speaker said in memorandum order No. 19-017 last March 23.
The Speaker traditionally names caretakers for districts not represented in the chamber due to various reasons, including the appointment to a Cabinet position, suspension, or expulsion of a member.
The House is currently on its Lenten break which will be until May 7.
Teves has appealed his 60-day suspension, saying he has always submitted himself to the authority of Congress.
GRAFT CASES
Ten days before Degamo was killed, he was cleared by the Supreme Court on 11 counts of malversation and graft charges involving alleged misuse of calamity funds amounting to P143.2 million in 2012.
The resolution clearing Degamo was promulgated by the High Court’s First Division on February 22 but it was made public only on March 29.
The SC resolution reversed and set aside on the ground of double jeopardy the resolutions of the Sandiganbayan denying Degamo and his co-petitioners their motion asking for the summary dismissal of the cases filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Degamo’s co-accused were provincial treasurer Danilo Mendez, provincial accountant Teodorico Reyes, and private contractor Farouk Macarambon.
Degamo was accused of conspiring with his co-accused to disburse P143.2 million from the P480.77-million calamity fund released to the province for infrastructure projects destroyed by typhoon “Sendong” in December 2011 when the Ombudsman said there were no funds for the disbursements because the special allotment release order was withdrawn by the Department of Budget and Management on June 29, 2012.
In asking the Sandiganbayan to junk the cases, Degamo and his co-accused cited the rule against forum shopping saying the similarity of the criminal information before the Second and Third Division of the anti-graft court will result in multiple prosecutions.
They said the Second and Third Divisions of the anti-graft court have previously cleared them after finding they acted in good faith and there was no manifest negligence on their part.
The SC sided with their arguments and granted their plea.
“While it appears that the prosecution has yet to proceed with the presentation of its evidence, when the respective motion of petitioners were filed, we note that the similarity of information filed before both Divisions is apparent on its face,” the SC said. — With Ashzel Hachero and Wendell Vigilia
