THE camp of expelled congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves yesterday dared Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to identify the “warlords” in a Southeast Asian country that he said were protecting him.
Teves’ legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said Remulla’s failure to give the identities means that justice secretary is one again “shooting from the hip.”
“Which and who are these warlords? How do they even qualify as warlords? Mr. Remulla, could you please identify who these warlords are and where and why they are considered warlords?” Topacio said in a statement.
“Please do not hide behind your stock answer of purportedly not dignifying questions from us, which we all know is the way of the weakling. These are legitimate questions,” he added.
On Wednesday, Remulla told reporters that Teves is hiding in a Southeast Asian country and is being protected by a “few local warlords.”
He said this was the information they received in their continuing monitoring of Teves’ whereabouts although he did not identify what country the former lawmaker is in.
Last week, Remulla said Teves is most likely moving back and forth to Timor Leste, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Last week, a Manila court issued warrant of arrest against Teves in connection with the March 4 attack that killed Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Teves has denied any knowledge or link to the attack that killed Degamo while he was distributing aid to his constituents inside his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
However, he refused to return to the country, citing fears for his security despite repeated assurances from the authorities, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He tried to seek political asylum in Timor Leste but his bid was refused, the Department of Foreign Affairs earlier said.
Remulla also said the DOJ is finalizing a letter to the United Nations informing it of the arrest warrant against Teves as well as the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) tagging him as terrorist.
