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5 Degamo suspects recant testimonies
Five more suspects in the high-profile killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others have retracted their previous statements linking suspended Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. to the sensational 4 March killings. This brings the total number of suspects who initially cooperated with authorities during the initial stages of the investigation but have now recanted their statements to 10. Atty. Jord Valenton — representing the five suspects who recanted their testimonies — disclosed that they just filed a motion to quash the information before regular courts. The first suspect to withdraw his statement was Osmundo Rivero, who stated in his counter-affidavit that he had been subjected to alleged torture in order to falsely implicate Teves. Three more suspects — Rogelio Antipolo, Rommel Pattaguan, and Dahniel Lora — followed suit and submitted affidavits of recantation after Rivero’s withdrawal. Moreover, Joven Javier’s lawyer, Atty. Danny Villanueva, recently revealed that his client had withdrawn four statements previously provided to investigators during the early stages of the probe. Meantime, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stressed that those who recanted their testimonies may face perjury charges for their sudden reversal in testimony after initially cooperating with authorities. Remulla issued the statement when asked by reporters for his take on additional five suspects recanting their statements. Remulla emphasized the significance of these recantations. “These recantations cannot be taken lightly, as they constitute a form of perjury without a doubt. There is perjury involved one way or another, either during their initial statements or now as they recant,” Remulla said. In other developments, the Manila Regional Trial Court on Wednesday announced that it has postponed the scheduled arraignment of 10 detained suspects in the 4 March 2023 killings. The postponement of arraignment was confirmed by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony D. Fadullon, adding that the arraignment was reset because of pending incidents. Those whose arraignments were postponed were Rogelio C. Antipolo Jr., Jhudiel R. Rivero, Romel A. Pattaguan, Dahniel P. Lora, Joven C. Javier, Winrich B. Isturis, John Louie L. Gonyon, Eulogio L. Gonyon Jr., Joric G. Labrador and Marvin H. Miranda. They have been charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and three counts of attempted murder under the Revised Penal Code. Five of the suspects represented by Villanueva have executed affidavits of recantation. The post 5 Degamo suspects recant testimonies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Court orders Teves passport canceled
A Manila court has ordered the cancellation of the passport of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is wanted in the country for multiple murder......»»
Teves lawyer: Indictments stem from crab justice
The camp of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves yesterday brushed aside his indictment for three counts of murder which happened in the province in 2019......»»
NBI submits more evidence in Degamo slay
The Department of Justice or DoJ said Tuesday the National Bureau of Investigation submitted additional evidence during the preliminary hearing on the murder complaints over the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others. Atty. Mico Clavano, DoJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson, said the additional evidence included pictures and videos that placed the accused at the scene of the crime in support of the testimonies they gave before they recanted. The additional evidence, Clavano said, will automatically support the original statements of the suspects. “Their recantations were just their statements being taken back. But to put them up against actual object evidence such as pictures and videos will be hard for them to defend. These are the additional pieces of evidence submitted,” he said. The NBI also submitted clearer copies of the evidence submitted earlier. The investigation was on the multiple murder complaints filed against suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and several others in the assassination of Degamo. To recall, accused Romel Pattaguan, Dahniel Lora, Osmundo Rivero, Joven Javier and Rogelio Antipolo had virtually affirmed the recantation of their testimonies. In Monday’s probe, accused Winrich Isturis, Joric Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, Eulogio, and John Louie Gonyon also virtually affirmed their recantations. Meanwhile, Clavano slammed the camp of the five accused who recanted on Monday for delaying the probe, saying that only the affidavits of recantation of Isturis and Labrador were originally signed. The notarized affidavits of the Gonyons and Rodriguez were not originally signed, he said. Clavano said the lawyers for the complainant-witnesses do not seem to take the case seriously as they submitted mere photocopies of their affidavits of recantation. The post NBI submits more evidence in Degamo slay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawyers seek De Lemos head for NBI blunder
A group of lawyers who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal blamed the recent significant mistakes of the National Bureau of Investigation on overstaying Director Medardo de Lemos and called for his immediate resignation. The Department of Justice confirmed that Jose Adrian “Jad” Dera, a co-accused of former senator Leila de Lima in her remaining drug case, was arrested by authorities on Wednesday, 21 June, after he allegedly went out from and came back to the NBI Detention Center. Dera’s lawyer says his medical condition necessitates his leaving the NBI premises, even as the NBI has its medical doctor. DoJ Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano said that “firearms, cash, and other contraband” were confiscated from Dera. Six NBI security personnel were arrested together with Dera. Dera is also implicated in the slaying of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last 4 March 2023. Lawyer Levito Baligod, legal counsel for the Degamo family, said that aside from Jad Dera, alleged co-mastermind Marvin Miranda also enjoys furlough from corrupt NBI officials, leaving the NBI Detention Center as he pleases. A reliable source inside the bureau revealed that the Degamo witnesses’ recantation started with the arrest of Marvin Miranda, the alleged recruiter of the killers of Gov. Degamo. The same source said that he is an asset/informant of a newly-appointed Chief of a District Office of a province near Metro Manila, promoted by the NBI Director De Lemos himself. The same source said that unknown to the public, it was kept from the Department of Justice officials’ knowledge that Miranda is an asset/informant of a newly-installed Chief of a District Office of a province near Metro Manila. The same Chief of the District Office is married to a lady agent who also was a newly-installed Bureau Chief. The same person is rumored to be the paramour of the NBI Director. She was reported to have been with the latter during a foreign trip. “Miranda is a Trojan horse who has a connection with the top officials of the Bureau. And this is just one of the many things that are eroding the morale of the career officers and personnel of the NBI,” the source said in dismay. The widow of Governor Degamo, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo, in her Facebook post, said; “I have lost my trust in the NBI… It is in this facility that all gunmen recanted (their testimonies). Paano nangyari yun?” She added that “as if the Bureau has no IDEA at all how things like this could happen. Tapos nangyari ito na nahuli si Dera??? Tapos wala itong kinalaman sa recantation? Hanggang saan sa NBI umabot ang P25 million?” “We would request another agency of the government to handle the Degamo case, wag na sa NBI (expletive),” Mayor Janice emphatically said. An NBI source said the recantation of testimonies of all 10 gunmen in the Degamo case is a first in the history of the Bureau. The same group of lawyers said De Lemos might as well resign. He should have retired weeks ago as he reached the age of compulsory retirement last 8 June having reached the age of 65. “The compulsory retirement age of the NBI Director is sixty-five (65). Said position cannot be reappointed because the position is technical and not confidential,” as stated in the description of the position of the NBI Director. Extended term A copy of a memorandum from the Office of the President circulated on social media dated 9 June 2023, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to Secretary of Justice Crispin Remulla, states “… Mr. De Lemos, who holds a coterminous appointment as Director (Director VI) of the NBI, is considered automatically extended in the service upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 65 years on 8 June 2023, until the expiry date of his appointment which is until the end of the term of the President, unless his services are earlier terminated”. Executive Order 136 series of 1999 or the law Requiring Presidential Approval of Requests for Extension of Services of Presidential Appointees Beyond the Compulsory Retirement Age, however, states: “That Officials or employees who have reached the compulsory retirement age of 65 years shall not be retained in the service, except for exemplary meritorious reasons.” “The blunders at the NBI is surely not a meritorious reason for De Lemos to be extended in office,” one of the lawyers said. Also cited was a memorandum from Executive Secretary Salvador Madialdea, under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, dated 18 February 2021, and addressed to the heads of departments, agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of government, including Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations or GOCCs. “To ensure the effective and efficient delivery of service, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has instructed the strict adherence of all concerned to Republic Act 8921, otherwise known as the Government Service Insurance System Act 1997, which provides that the compulsory retirement age of government employees is sixty-five (65) years. As such, the extension of service of government officials and employees who have reached the compulsory retirement age will no longer be allowed,” the memorandum read. The post Lawyers seek De Lemos head for NBI blunder appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SoJ: DNA belies Degamo suspects’ retractions
The National Bureau of Investigation said on Tuesday that DNA analysis has linked four of the 10 detained suspects to the 4 March 2023 killings of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona town. The NBI said the analysis was based on samples taken from the vehicles used by the suspects and blood stains lifted from Degamo’s residence, where the killings took place. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the DNA analysis provided pieces of evidence that could pin down the suspects, apart from the statements they and the witnesses had executed. “Even if they claimed they were not at the crime scene, their blood was there,” Remulla said. The DNA results, he said, refute the recantations of the 10 suspects who claimed they were tortured into admitting to the killings and tagging Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. as the mastermind. “What does that mean? They were there at the crime scene. So which will you believe, their recantations or their original statements?” Remulla said. The NBI has charged Teves and five other persons with 10 murder, 14 frustrated murder, and four attempted murder counts in the killing of Degamo, the deaths of nine other persons, and injuries to 18 others. The counsel of the Degamo family, lawyer Levito D. Baligod, said the DNA analysis confirmed the participation of four suspects, namely, Rogelio C. Antipolo Jr., Winrich B. Isturis, John Louie L. Gonyon, and Jhudiel R. Rivero. Remulla said the DoJ had issued a subpoena to Teves directing the lawmaker to appear at Tuesday’s hearing to submit a counter-affidavit. However, Teves, who is currently under suspension by the House of Representatives, remains abroad. The preliminary investigation was suspended because neither Teves nor his lawyers appeared. The detained suspects were the only ones presented during yesterday’s hearing, but since their lawyers also failed to appear they were represented by the Public Attorney’s Office. Remulla said the DoJ gave Teves and his lawyers another chance to appear in the next preliminary investigation set for 27 June. The post SoJ: DNA belies Degamo suspects’ retractions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Garbage, baloney,’ Remulla to Teves
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has called on Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to return to the country and face the charges of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder filed against him by the National Bureau of Investigation. Remulla on Thursday described Teves’ video rants to reporters as “baloney” and “garbage.” The Justice secretary made the call after Teves dared him to resign if he could not prove his previous pronouncement that Teves had applied for citizenship in Timor-Leste. “I don’t have to prove anything here,” Remulla said. “Teves is the one (who has) to prove that he can face the charges against him.” Remulla reiterated his call for Teves to return to the Philippines and answer the subpoena that has been issued against him. “The public should know that he is being summoned by the authorities to explain his involvement in the crime concerning the deaths of many people,” Remulla said. “It’s better for him to come home and face the music instead of talking too much,” he added. Teves has been accused of being one of the masterminds in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other persons on 4 March 2023. Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, meanwhile, claimed they have “intelligence reports” that some officials of the DoJ had tried to bribe a former aide of the lawmaker. Topacio averred the officials tried to sway Marvin Miranda, one of 11 suspects in the death of Degamo and nine others last 4 March, to pin down Teves as the mastermind. “We are verifying these reports, but rest assured that they come from sources [that] have been reliable in the past,” Topacio said. Ten of the 11 suspects who initially cooperated with authorities recanted their confessions against Teves. With Edjen Oliquino and Jing Villamente With Edjen Oliquino and Jing Villamente The post ‘Garbage, baloney,’ Remulla to Teves appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teves mocks DoJ over ‘bribing’ allegations
Embattled Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. mocked Justice Secretary Boying Remulla’s claim that the suspects were bribed with P8 million each to recant their statements against him. In a Facebook video uploaded on Saturday, Teves labeled the alleged P8-million bribe as a figment of the Department of Justice’s imagination, stressed that he had no idea where Remulla obtained the figure. The accused lawmaker’s remark came a day after Remulla’s claim that the offer to the suspects began when his alleged co-mastermind Marvin Miranda was allowed to speak with a lawyer he earlier refuted knowing. “When Marvin Miranda was caught on 31 March, about six days after that, the rustling started. When he finally spoke to the lawyer he didn’t want to let in at first, the money offer to the other accused began,” said the Justice chief. To recall, five more suspects in the sensational 4 March killing of Degamo and nine others recanted their confessions before the Manila Regional Trial Court on 31 May, bringing the total number of suspects who initially cooperated with authorities but have now recanted their statements to 10. All 11 accused, including Miranda, filed a move to quash as they alleged that their arrests were unlawful. The most recent suspects to recant are Winrich Esturis, Eugelio Gonyon Jr., John Louie Gonyon, Joric Labrador and Benjie Rodriguez. They were represented by lawyer Jord Valenton, who said his clients were subjected to torture to confess to taking part in the assassination. Remulla over the weekend named former Justice Undersecretary Reynante Orceo as the person who allegedly spoke with Miranda and other suspects. Teves contended, though, that the Justice chief was only fabricating it against him. Previously, Teves was given another 60-day suspension and forfeited his committee memberships by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges on Wednesday as a punishment for his continued defiance of Speaker Martin Romualdez’s call to return home and face the allegations against him in the Degamo murder case and report to work. His first suspension lapsed on 22 May. Teves left for the US since February this year. His stay outside the country despite his expired travel clearance is one of the reasons the House is running after him. The post Teves mocks DoJ over ‘bribing’ allegations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senate wants tougher penalties for perjury
Senators on Monday called on for tougher punishment and increased penalties against people committing perjury, amid the recent retraction of statements by Degamo slay suspects. During a Senate session on Monday, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano cited the three suspects in the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo who recently recanted their earlier confessions before a Senate panel that tagged suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. as the alleged mastermind of the crime. He also mentioned the case of a witness in former Senator Leila De Lima’s drug case likewise retracting a sworn affidavit. Cayetano wants stricter penalties against witnesses lying, especially during Senate hearings. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he is very much in favor of Cayetano’s motion to increase the penalties and jail time against those found guilty of committing perjury. “I totally agree that we must toughen our laws on perjury," he said, lamenting that perjury is now becoming a "norm”. “So I think it's about time. Just like [in] the United States, when you give an affidavit, that’s it. When you recant your affidavit, they would file charges against you. This goes on both sides of the political fence as this happened to our former colleague Ma’am De Lima and now in the Degamo case, I think this would cross all political lines,” Zubiri said. The truth should be ferreted out and “if they lied then they should be liable," he added. Senator Francis Tolentino, meanwhile, said amendments may be recommended for rules under several articles of the Revised Penal Code, including the punishment for the act of giving false testimony in judicial proceedings under Articles 180, 181 and 182. “I think it’s about time to amend the rules in so far as the treatment of witnesses acting with malice and malicious intent and lying in violation of several articles of Revised Penal Code…" However, Senate Minority floor leader Koko Pimentel said the increased penalties should be taken as a second option only. “That should be the second step, but the first step I think is to enforce the current law. No matter what the penalty is, the current law should be imposed. The deterrent effects of criminal law — that’s what is missing,” Pimentel said. Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda backed Pimentel’s motion, saying the government should make sure that the law is implemented accordingly. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, meanwhile, pointed out that Republic Act 11594, signed by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte on 29 October 2021, amended Article 183 of RA 3815 or the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes perjury. Under RA 115941, persons who commit perjury face a higher penalty of prison mayor in its minimum period to prison mayor in its medium period, from six years and one day to 10 years of imprisonment. Senator Robinhood Padilla, for his part, suggested varying perjury penalties for civilians and for government officials as well as security officials who commit perjury during hearings or inquiries, while Senator Joel Villanueva stressed the need to impose "bigger" penalties on public officials. The post Senate wants tougher penalties for perjury appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Suspect in Degamo slay tells CHR: NBI, DoJ holding his family hostage
A suspect in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on Thursday sought the help of the Commission on Human Rights, claiming that the National Bureau of Investigation has been holding his family hostage for two months now. Jhudiel Roxas Rivero a.k.a. Osmundo R. Rivero, through his counsel Danny Villanueva, asked CHR chairman Richard Palpal-Latoc to investigate the alleged abduction by the NBI of his family. At a press briefing yesterday afternoon in Quezon City, Villanueva said "Rivero's rights must also be respected." "The rights of the accused must be respected, and any violations of this rights must be addressed in a prompt and effective manner," the lawyer stressed. Rivera, in a sworn statement, said that his family (wife Quennie, stepson Christian and two-year-old son Jophiel) was taken from their house in Zamboanga del Sur on 8 March 2023 and taken to Pagadian City, allegedly for security purposes. On 14 March, as relayed to Rivera by his sister, the family was taken by the NBI. Rivera has not been in communication with his family since then. Villanueva said they would also ask the help of Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla to confirm that Rivero's family is safe. The lawyer hinted that Rivero's family is being used as a bargaining chip against his client, to force Rivera not to recant his earlier alleged "readied statement" that was revised twice after he was arrested and implicated in the murder of Degamo. The post Suspect in Degamo slay tells CHR: NBI, DoJ holding his family hostage appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Bato’ seeks death penalty vs political warlords
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is keen on the revival of the death penalty against politicians utilizing private armed groups as well as slapping heavy punishment on highly skilled uniformed personnel dismissed from the service working as private armies. This comes following the conduct of five hearings by the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee on Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and spate of killings in the province. “I think they should be because these politicians are the main masterminds of it. They should be included in death penalty. That’s correct, good suggestion,” said Dela Rosa when asked if the political warlords should get capital punishment. “Former members of security forces should also get heavier penalties especially when they use the training skills they acquired from the government, or particularly, from the Armed Forces, from the Philippine National Police — to victimize civilians. That must be a death penalty for them, we must not talk only about reclusion perpetua,” he added. The senator — who was a former Philippine National Police chief — stressed that he will immediately include these proposals in the soon-to-be-submitted committee report for possible adoption. “I will write the report and include these. I’m just waiting for the remaining affidavits from other resource persons,” said the lawmaker, adding that he will include in the committee report death that penalty recommendation will cover active and former AFP or PNP personnel engaged in private army activities. “You see, these people are very deadly. They will continue doing illegalities if they think they will not get the death punishment. They will accept money from politician x and carry out even criminalities. But if they know they will face the death penalty, then, they will slow down,” said Dela Rosa. The committee chair is also considering amending the Omnibus Election Code, specifically, the provision that will totally prohibit the entry of “nuisance candidates” in every electoral exercise -- which he cited as the root cause of the Degamo murder case. Dela Rosa is also eyeing the removal of authority by the local executives to choose or name the police provincial director and police regional director to be deployed within their jurisdiction as stated under the Local Government Code. He stressed that police provincial directors must be appointed by the PNP’s National Headquarters while choosing chiefs of police must be given to either the provincial or regional director of the PNP. The removal of authority from LCEs, he emphasized, will limit police officials being in debt of any politician so they can fulfill the PNP mandates “more independently.” “They can now snob bordering to illegal requests or illegal orders coming from these politicians. In that case, they can also enforce the law without fear to anyone,” Dela Rosa said. “PNP is a huge organization so they should be the ones to know the merit of the officers so they must call the deployment not politicians in the provinces.” Dela Rosa said it will also contribute to the professionalism among the PNP ranks as he disclosed the drafting of a PNP Reformation Bill giving additional powers to disciplining authorities such as the PNP chief or police regional and provincial directors to punish police personnel doing illegalities. “This is more likely a military law wherein commanders have the power to jail the violators among their ranks. I want to like that for the PNP,” said the senator. Dela Rosa said that the five hearings have initially established that neither the camps of Degamo nor Teves group came innocent in perpetrating violence in Negros Oriental as many testimonies were supported by evidence. However, he assessed that some narratives of resource persons were just character assassination. “Nobody can claim from both camps that they are absolutely clean. They are telling the truth, but sometimes, some testimonies are resulting in character assassination, there are two camps here trying to destroy each other,” said Dela Rosa. The post ‘Bato’ seeks death penalty vs political warlords appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM may bring up Teves issue with E. Timor counterpart, says Romualdez
INDONESIA – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the denial of Rep. Arnolfo Teves’ asylum application may be tackled in the upcoming bilateral meeting between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak in the 42nd ASEAN Summit and related meetings here. Romualdez made the statement after the Department of Justice said Teves was in Timor-Leste and had applied "for a protection visa with the intent of asylum." The Southeast Asian nation, however, has rejected his application and ordered him to leave the country in five days since Teves has been tagged as the alleged mastermind in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. In an interview with the reporters, the House Speaker believed Marcos was equally concerned about Teves' situation. "We are also interested in the developments and his current situation in Timor Leste. From what we know, he applied for political asylum, which was denied yesterday. We have confirmed this information tonight (Wednesday)," he said. However, Romualdez clarified that he was still determining if the President had conversations about this matter on the sidelines. When asked if the President will ask the head of Timor Leste to "produce" Teves or ask him to come back to the Philippines, Romualdez said: "Well, I don't know if he will ask to produce him because he's already in Timor Leste and we are aware of that." Romualdez also clarified that the President would not ask Timor Leste to bring Teves back to the Philippines because there is no extradition treaty between the two countries. Instead, Teves has less than a week to leave Timor Leste. The House Speaker also said there are three options for the congressman: To return to the Philippines and face the charges against him; continue defying orders and face further sanctions; or move to another country. He urged Teves to return home and face justice, adding that the rights and privileges of a congressman are not meant to be used to evade justice. “So Cong. Arnie Teves, umuwi ka na (go home) and face the music and let the justice take its course,” Romualdez said. In a separate statement, Romualdez warned Teves that "another possible disciplinary action" may be imposed against him if he refuses to return to the Philippines after his 60-day suspension. The House Speaker also called on Teves anew to "return home immediately and face the accusation against him" instead of evading investigation in the Philippines." "Should Cong. Arnie continues to defy the return to work order after the lapse of the 60-day period of his suspension, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges may be constrained to reconvene and consider another possible disciplinary action against him," Romualdez said. "This is our recourse in order to preserve the dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House of Representatives," he added. The post PBBM may bring up Teves issue with E. Timor counterpart, says Romualdez appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Teves leaves extension plea to Romualdez
Suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnies Teves will leave it to the hands of Speaker Martin Romualdez whether to file a leave extension once his two-month suspension expires. “About the two-month suspension, please ask speaker Romualdez,” said the embattled lawmaker during his hybrid press con yesterday. “I will continue to appeal for what is right. Actually, I don’t need to file a leave of absence. I only did that because they insisted.” Teves was slapped with a 60-day suspension after his 292 peers in the House voted in favor of the sanction. The move was prompted by his failure to adhere to the ethics panel’s 24-hour ultimatum and his continued defiance of the Speaker’s marching orders to report to work, perform his duties, and face the allegations leveled against him. Teves is being implicated in the murder of his political foe, Governor Roel Degamo, and eight others, who were gunned down in his home in broad daylight last 4 March. The suspended lawmaker also faces complaints over loose firearms and a series of killings in the province in 2019. Foul Teves cried foul over him being considered absent — that later resulted in suspension — despite attending the legislative proceedings via teleconference, which he lamented was permitted by Congress. “Bakit biglang si Arnie bawal? Para lang madiin ako?” he stressed. But the congressman did not rule out the possibility of communicating with Romualdez, to whom he claimed he had been reaching out the entire time, despite receiving no response. Teves, who was allowed a medical leave from the House from 28 February to 9 March 2023, had asked Romualdez for a two-month extension of his authority to travel, which the House chief thumbed down. But despite the Speaker’s adamant order, Teves remained headstrong to stay abroad, citing security concerns, notwithstanding his expired travel clearance. The congressman, who reportedly left the US, contented that his failure to return to the country was not due to guilt but anchored in “very grave and serious security threats” to his life. The post Teves leaves extension plea to Romualdez appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Senate probe on Degamo murder may solve other slays’
The Senate inquiry into the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo that starts today may uncover the truth behind other reported killings in the province, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said......»»
DOJ on Degamo probe: End is near
The investigation into the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo is nearing its end as the Department of Justice revealed there is video footage of the mastermind giving out orders on how to execute the attack, even as police identified yesterday the gun that killed the governor......»»
All Bayawan City cops relieved as Degamo murder probe continues
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental – All policemen of Bayawan City Police Station are relieved from their posts effective Tuesday, March 7. Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, the spokesperson of the Special Intelligence Task Group (SITG), confirmed this adding that the relieved cops will be replaced by policemen from different stations in Negros Oriental. READ: […] The post All Bayawan City cops relieved as Degamo murder probe continues appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Alert order vs Teves out – DOJ
Two alert list orders have been issued by the Bureau of Immigration against expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has been tagged as the brains in the assassination of former governor Roel Degamo......»»
Manila court orders DFA to cancel passport of ex-NegOr Rep. Teves
A Manila court has ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passport of expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. who is facing multiple charges and has been declared a fugitive from justice, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Friday. “Although the freedom to travel is guaranteed, it does not give one an unlimited.....»»
Remulla to ask Timor-Leste for Teves
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla will sign this week a letter asking the government of Timor-Leste to turn over expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is facing several murder charges and has been designated as a terrorist in the Philippines......»»
DOJ chief: Rendition of Teves broached to Timor-Leste
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has discussed with Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta the possibility of rendition for former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has been charged with murder and declared as a terrorist in the Philippines......»»