JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday said suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, tagged in the March 4 killing of provincial governor Roel Degamo, might return to the country today.
Remulla disclosed the information in a hastily-called press conference where he said he got the information from a “highly-reliable source.”
“It was stated to me by a reliable source as he may have access to flight data into the country and he’s usually a very reliable source for those who come in and out of the country,” Remulla said.
Remulla said Teves will not be arrested if he returns because there is no standing warrant against him.
“But law enforcement agencies have been placed on alert so he can be secured properly. So, we would not surprised by the arrival,” he said.
Remulla said Teves may have decided to return to the country because he is having difficulty going around. Earlier, Timor-Leste junked Teves’ plea for political asylum and ordered him to leave the country.
“He’s already on Interpol notice and things are becoming more difficult for Mr. Teves to go around. That’s what was told to me by my reliable sources,” Remulla said.
“He will likely return, most probably because it’s difficult to go around the world now when you’re already on Interpol notice and it’s already known in ASEAN that he’s a subject of designation as a terrorist. So, things have become more difficult I suppose,” he added.
On the filing of murder charges against Teves in connection with the attack that killed Degamo and nine others, Remulla said it will finally push through today.
He said Teves’ decision to return to the country would give him the chance to answer all accusations against him.
“It means he can answer the process of law. If a case is filed against him tomorrow, then it can be immediately served to him… the cases be resolved by the panel of prosecutors based on his counter-affidavit.”
Aside from the Degamo killing, Teves is also facing multiple murder charges before the DOJ over the 2019 killing of three persons in the province, and complaints of illegal possession of firearms.
The DOJ has also moved to designate Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 due to his alleged involvement in several high-profile killings and other criminal activities.
Teves has denied any involvement or knowledge of Degamo’s killing.
Degamo’s widow, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, yesterday said it would be no surprise if suspects in the attack will withdraw statements they gave to the Department of Justice.
She said her lawyers have informed her of a possible recantation.
“Even from the start, I was already informed by my lawyers that that is something that we should expect,” she said.
“We’re expecting worst scenario but we are still very confident that we will make it,” she added, referring to the filing of case against Teves.
Remulla on Monday said said six or seven suspects have “lawyered up” and are refusing to talk. He also said he expects the suspects to recant their statements but added this will not affect the case that will be filed. — With Victor Reyes
