PNP-CIDG given until March 29 to present evidence on firearms case vs Teves

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MANILA, Philippines — Prosecutors from the Department of Justice (DOJ) have given the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on or before March 29 to submit additional evidence concerning the seized firearms in one of the properties of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.

During Wednesday’s preliminary investigation, only lawyers Mike Melia and Ferdinand Topacio, counsels for Jose Pablo Gimarangan and Teves, appeared before the DOJ.

“On our part, we will be submitting our counter-affidavit on April 14,” Melia told reporters.

But he said it will still depend on the pieces of evidence that the PNP-CIDG will submit until March 29.

“If we believe that we no longer need to submit a counter-affidavit, we might waive it because, as of this point in time, the DOJ’s resolution is already for our clients,” Melia said referring to the DOJ prosecutor’s resolution ordering the conduct of further investigation.

Topacio, meanwhile, said the preliminary investigation went on smoothly.

“We entered our appearance. We met the representatives of the CIDG… Everything was cordial and it went on uneventful,” he said.

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KGA/abc