MANILA – It is time for former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. to face the criminal charges filed against him, said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a video posted on his social media page, the Chief Executive welcomed Timor-Leste’s decision to repatriate Teves, who returned to the country late Thursday night, May 29.
“As we know, the former congressman is facing charges of murder and other crimes related to the ambush-killing of the former (Negros Oriental) governor (Roel) Degamo. It is time for Arnie Teves to face justice,” Marcos said.
He added: “This would not have happened without the assistance of President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão. They have been working very hard to bring this matter to conclusion.”
Teves is facing multiple criminal charges, including the high-profile assassination of Degamo in 2023 and other murder cases in 2019.”
In 2024, the Dumaguete City Regional Trial Court also issued an arrest order against Teves for murder, illegal possession of explosives, illegal possession of firearms, and for violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.
Pursuant to Section 25 of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Teves and 12 others were designated under Resolution 43 (2023) of the Anti-Terrorism Council as terrorists for the “orchestrated killings and acts of violence in Negros Oriental.”
“We would like to assure our citizens that such lawlessness will not go unpunished,” President Marcos said./PN
