MANILA, Philippines — As the whereabouts of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr remains a mystery, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on Monday said he received reports claiming that the beleaguered lawmaker was seen eating at a hotel in South Korea.
Villanueva revealed this during a public inquiry of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee into the brazen assassination of Teves’ political nemesis, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, which was later dubbed the Pamplona massacre, and other political killings in the country.
Teves is being tagged as a key orchestrator in the Pamplona massacre. He is also being accused by the police of ordering a series of murders in Negros Oriental in 2019.
READ: Senate starts probe into Degamo slay, spate of political killings
Teves’ location has been a lingering question over the past months since he has not returned to the country – claiming threats to the security of himself and his family – even as his authority to travel to the United States for medical treatment lapsed on March 9.
According to Villanueva, four of his friends told him a few days ago that they saw Teves eating at a buffet in Lotte Hotel for two consecutive days.
“Hindi ko lang alam kung ito ay sigurado na siya nga iyon pero apat ang nakausap natin at sabi nila na nandoon siya sa Lotte Hotel sa South Korea. I don’t know if alam po ng ating authorities, [the report] was given to me personally,” Villanueva said.
(I’m not sure if they are certain it was him, but we’ve spoken to four people and that’s what they said – he was in the Lotte Hotel in South Korea. I don’t know if authorities know this, but the report was given to me personally.)
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who filed the resolution calling for the investigation, then sought the panel to confirm the information with the Philippine embassy in Seoul.
The Department of Justice previously said they are considering deportation as the “most logical process” in bringing Teves home since the Philippines has no extradition treaty with Cambodia, where the besieged congressman is believed to be staying.
READ: DOJ: Deportation ‘most logical process’ to bring Teves home
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who presided over the hearing, said the committee has “unanimously” agreed not to allow the mere online presence of Teves in the probe, citing legal issues that may arise with the taking of his oath.
READ: Where is Teves? Senate panel rejects lawmaker’s virtual presence in Degamo slay probe