Teves slams ‘trial by publicity’ in Degamo murder

Arnolfo Teves Jr.—GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Embattled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. slammed the “trial by publicity” against him as he dared authorities to file a case if there is evidence pinning him for the Roel Degamo murder.

Teves issued the challenge in an interview over CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Monday during which he questioned the haste in the acquittal of the son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for an illegal drugs case.

“Why are they subjecting me to a trial by publicity? If they have the guts, they should file charges against me in court. You’re just all talk in press conferences. There’s no case filed in press conferences,” the suspended lawmaker said.

“It’s so easy to file a case, to accuse. But there should be proper evidence. Those who spoke in the Senate hearing have no evidence. There should be evidence, not hearsay. There should be solid and concrete evidence to back your claims or accusations,” he said.

Terrorists

He made the remarks after Remulla said the Department of Justice is planning to seek the designation of Teves’ allies as terrorists in connection with the Degamo murder.

Teves was named as one of the masterminds in the killing of Degamo last March. Remulla said authorities were seeking to name the lawmaker as a terrorist to force him to come home.

Teves has refused to return to the Philippines because of supposed threats against his life, saying two government officials want to kill him.

Although he has not yet been charged for the Degamo murder, he was slapped with several murder complaints for incidents back in 2019. He is also facing complaints for illegal possession of firearms.

On Monday, the lawmaker claimed that the firearms seized during a raid on his property were planted, and that he has evidence to prove it.

“If evidence is planted at a person’s house, that already makes him a terrorist? Just because someone ordered the planting of evidence? We can prove to you that evidence was planted,” Teves said, adding that he is ready to present the evidence in court. INQ