Update on Arnie Teves Case Follow Re-Arrest in Timor Leste
ARNIE TEVES CASE – Several Philippine officials are set to testify against the former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative.
In March 2023, the Philippines was shocked by the unexpected death of then Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. He was attacked in his home by unidentified men who stormed in their residence in Pamplona.
Degamo was shot. Several individuals who happened to be at their residence as it was morning when it happened were also left injured and dead by the incident. Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo vowed to seek justice for the death of the late Governor.
The wife of the Governor also sought the help of the government in seeking justice for the death of her husband and several individuals due to the attack. One of the suspects is former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnie Teves.
The Teves and the Degamo clans are strong political rivals in Negros Oriental. The late Governor defeated Pryde Henry Teves, the brother of Arnie, in the gubernatorial race.
When he was tagged as one of the suspects on the death of the late Gov. Degamo and many others, Teves was already in abroad. He has yet to return to the Philippines since the incident.
Recently, the Department of Justice gave an update on Arnie Teves case. The justice department confirmed that the former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative was released from jail in Timor Leste.
Shortly after he was released from jail, Teves was re-arrested in Timor Leste as it was part of the process. Based on a recent report on ABS-CBN News, former and current Philippine officials are set to testify on the Arnie Teves case proceedings in Timor Leste against the former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative.
The Department of Justice confirmed that several former and current Philippine officials are set to testify on the Arnie Teves case. Based on an article on ABS-CBN News, they are the following:
- former Supreme Court associate justice Francis Jardeleza
- Bureau of Corrections Director General Pio Gregorio Catapang, Jr.
- National Amnesty Commission Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento
- Presidential Human Rights Committee Undersecretary Nonoy Catur
Based on the article, the announcement of the justice department followed the revelation of Teves’ lawyer, Attorney Ferdinand Topacio, that aside from him, there are former Philippine officials who will testify for Teves. They are former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo and former Commission on Human Rights commissioner Wilhelm Soriano.
Previously, Topacio also claimed that Teves is not staying in a cell but in a police holding area. He stressed that it is a room in the headquarters of the national police of Timor-Leste.