FILE PHOTO: Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has declared Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and 12 others as terrorists for allegedly being involved in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and other killings.
In Resolution No. 63 dated July 26 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the ATC marked Teves as the leader and mastermind of the “terrorist group” behind Degamo’s murder and other political slayings in Negros Oriental.
The resolution also labeled Teves’ brother, former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, as a terrorist for allegedly providing material support to his brother’s alleged terrorist group.
The ATC’s Resolution No. 63 was only revealed publicly Tuesday, August 1.
The 11 other people also tagged by the government’s anti-terror body as terrorists are the following:
- Marvin Miranda for violations of Sections 4 (a), 6, 10, and 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA):
- Rogelio Antipolo for violations of Sections 4 (a) and 6 of the ATA;
- Rommel Pattaguan for violations of Sections 4/al and 6 of the ATA:
- Winrich Isturis for violations of Sections 4 (a) and 6 of the ATA:
- John Louie Gonyon for violations of Sections 4 (a) and 6 of the ATA:
- Daniel Lora for violations of Sections 4 (a) and 6 of the ATA;
- Eulogio Gonyon, Jr. for violations of Sections 4 (a) and 6 of the ATA:
- Tomasino Aledro, for violations of Sections 4 (a), 6, and 12 of the ATA;
- Nigel Electona, for violations of Sections 4 (d) and 12 of the ATA:
- Jomarie Catubay, for violations of Sections 4(a) and 6 of the ATA; and
- Hannah Mae Sumero Oray, for violation of Sections 4 (a) and 12 of the ATA
READ: Teves camp condemns ‘terrorist’ tag: A weaponization of anti-terror law
The ATC noted that even before the murder of Degamo, several politically motivated killings had already been attributed to Rep. Teves and his alleged terrorist group.
“The numerous killings and harassments in Negros Oriental which culminated in the assassination of Gov. Degamo must not be taken as isolated and random incidents of violence,” the council’s resolution states.
According to the ATC, Sumero handled the operational funds for the alleged “terrorist attacks” of congressman Teves’ alleged terrorist group while Miranda acted as organizer and recruiter “of personnel for specific terrorist attacks.”
READ: DOJ: Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. still not a fugitive despite ‘terrorist’ tag
On the other hand, the ATC said Pryde Henry Teves and the nine others assisted in the alleged political killings in the province.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla once explained that the designation of Teves as a terrorist would help the government in apprehending the congressman, whose current whereabouts remain unknown, because UN member states will be compelled to surrender Teves as a fugitive under the “duty of rendition.”
READ: DOJ: Teves terror tag prelude to deportation
“When he’s tagged already, then there’s is already a possible proscription, but once a case is filed for terrorism – because we’ll also file a case for terrorism simultaneous with the multiple murder cases – the duty of rendition comes in to the UN member states because he will be enrolled in the UN list of terrorists,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief said previously.
In a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano clarified that Teves is not yet considered a fugitive at this time since no warrant of arrest has been issued so far against the congressman.
But Clavano said that being tagged as terrorist automatically allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue a freeze order against Teves’ assets, as provided under the ATA.
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