DOJ to Teves: Face charges in proper forums, not through media, online platforms

MANILA, Philippines — Following his designation as a terrorist, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday told beleaguered Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to return to the country and face his charges in appropriate forums instead of using media or social platforms.

Justice spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano made the pronouncement after baring that the DOJ has information on Teves’ current location.

“We have information that comes from different sources as to where he is. Ang gusto lang po namin iparating sa kampo ni Congressman Teves ay harapin sana yung mga charges sa kanya. As of right now, it’s in preliminary investigation, but even at that stage, there is still that opportunity to be heard,” said Clavano.

(We have information that comes from different sources as to where he is. All we want to convey to Congressman Teves’ camp is for him to face the charges against him. As of right now, it’s in the preliminary investigation, but even at that stage, there is still that opportunity to be heard.)

“So kung talagang sinasabi niya na wala talaga siyang kinalaman dito, there’s a proper forum for it. Hindi naman sa social media, ‘wag naman ‘ho sana sa mainstream media, pero dito po sa ating venue which is preliminary investigation where he was asked to file his counter affidavit,” he added.

(So, if he is really saying that he really has nothing to do with it, there’s a proper forum for it. Not on social media, not on mainstream media, but here at our venue, which is the preliminary investigation where he was asked to file his counter affidavit.)

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), in a resolution, declared Teves and 12 others as terrorists for being part of a “terrorist group” allegedly involved in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, as well as other political killings.

When asked to comment on Teves’ legal counsel Atty. Fernando Topacio’s statement that the Anti-Terrorism Act was weaponized against the embattled lawmaker, Clavano responded that he did not read it but assured the public that the ATC followed the proper procedures.

“Ang sa amin lang naman, ginagawa namin yung trabaho namin, ginagawa namin lahat ng tamang procedure. Para po wala talagang masabi ‘yung mga designees natin,” said Clavano.

(As for us, we do our job, we do all the right procedures so that our designees won’t have anything else to say.)

“We followed the proper procedure in the sense that we looked at compelling evidence, we looked at the factual incidents, to determine whether or not there was a probable cause for the designees to be designated as terrorists,” said Clavano.

DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Ty, who is also in charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, in the same press briefing also assured the public that the technical working group of the ATC followed the proper procedures in designating Teves, along with his brother former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves as terrorists.

“Kung pinaguusapan natin ay due process o rule of law, kayang kaya namin ipagtanggol na sinundan namin ang due process at rule of law sa pag designate kay, sa grupo ni Congressman Teves, o sa kahit ano pang designation na nangyayari sa ATC,” said Ty.

(If we are talking about due process or rule of law, we can defend that we followed due process and rule of law in designating Congressman Teves’ group, or any other designation that happens in ATC.)

Teves currently faces complaints of violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and RA 9516, the law on explosives.

He also faces charges of multiple murders over three killings in 2019, including the murder of former Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Dungog.

– With reports from Lei Ivana, INQUIRER.net trainee

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