Degamo slay case: ‘Observe sobriety’ with accusations vs Teves — counsel

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANULA, Philippines — Be wary of hurling assertions against Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., warned the congressman’s counsel lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

Teves was tagged in a series of killings in the province in 2019. Shortly before this, he had denied involvement in the killing of political rival, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

READ: PNP tags Degamo foe Teves in 2019 killings in Negros Oriental

“We call on all concerned to observe sobriety in their pronouncements regarding the allegations against Rep. Arni Teves in the face of certain accusations against him in connection with the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and several other persons,” said Topacio.

Teves has already denied the accusations, both for the 2019 killings and Degamo’s slay.

“We shall face any and all accusations consistent with the courses outlined in the legal system, confident that, in the end, our client will be exonerated,” said Topacio.

However, Teves is currently in the United States. According to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the embattled representative had requested Congress to let him extend his stay.

“Isa pang alam ko kasi hanggang ngayon na lang ang ibingay na palugit ng Kongreso na umuwi [si Cong. Teves] mula sa Amerika at hindi saya binigyan ng extension kaya inaaasahan namin na uuwi na siya kung talagang [haharap] siya sa mga ganitong usapin na [siya’y] itinuturo na maaaring kasabwat sa mga nangyaring karumal-dumal sa Negros Oriental,” said Remulla.

(Another thing I know is that the extension that Teves asked for to stay in America is only until today, so we are expecting that he will be back soon to really face these assertions that he could be one of the accomplices to these horrors in Negros Oriental.)

INQUIRER.net has reached out to the House of Representatives to confirm Remulla’s comment, but it has yet to confirm Teves’ status and whereabouts.

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JPV