PNP files more cases vs. Teves, sons for illegal guns

Negros Oriental 3rd District Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves delivers a statement during a news briefing in Pasig City on January 12, 2023. Teves appealed to police authorities to spare his family after receiving information of alleged plan to raid his house in connection to e-sabong.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — More cases were filed against Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his two sons for illegally possessing firearms, the police said on Wednesday.

According to Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo, cases were filed against Teves and his sons before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violations of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

“Naisampa this afternoon (3 p.m.) yung naiwan na isang kaso with respect po sa implementation ng search warrant doon po mismo sa bahay ni Cong. Teves,” Fajardo said in a media briefing.

(A case that was left had already been filed this afternoon in connection with the search warrant implemented in Cong. Teves’ home.)

“As a matter of procedure bibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na sagutin po ito at magkakaroon po tayo ng preliminary investigation (As a matter of procedure, we will allow them to answer these complaints during the preliminary investigation). They will be served summons to answer these complaints,” she added.

Last March 10, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group implemented 10 search warrants for five Basay and Bawayan City houses. Three of these properties belong to Teves, where authorities confiscated several firearms and assorted ammunition.

Fajardo further revealed that what prompted the raids were the complaints filed against the congressman for his alleged connection to three murder cases in Negros Oriental in 2019.

However, Teves’ legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio earlier said the implementation of search warrants was “highly illegal and irregular” and that the firearms seized from Teves’ homes were allegedly planted.

In response to this, Fajardo warned all concerned to refrain from speculating about PNP’s current and future actions.

“We want to assure everyone [that] we will follow the law, the procedure [concerning] the implementation of other search warrants,” the PNP spokesperson said, adding that the authorities had already appealed to Teves’ side for concerns that need to be raised.

Fajardo also said that the police force vows to provide the necessary security for Teves and his family while the investigation and hot pursuit operation is ongoing.

“As soon as he arrives, the PNP will provide the necessary security for him and his family,” she said.

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