Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) — Criminal complaints for illegal possession of firearms and explosives were filed against the secretary of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and five other people who were arrested when authorities raided properties owned by the lawmaker and his family last Friday.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said the secretary and three other people face complaints for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Meanwhile, two of those arrested allegedly violated both RA 10591 and RA 9516, or the law on illegal possession of explosives.
Teves and his two sons were not around during the implementation of the search warrant in their house, police noted.
“However, the criminal complaints against them for violation of RA 10591 and RA 9516 will be filed as soon as possible,” the CIDG said.
“The PNP-CIDG enforces the law regardless of one’s status in the society. We will assure impartiality in the conduct of the investigation and will hold criminals accountable for the offense they committed,” CIDG Director PBGen. Romeo Caramat Jr. added.
Authorities earlier reported seizing firearms of varying calibers, ammunition, and even a grenade when they raided properties owned by the Teves family.
Prior to that, police filed multiple murder complaints against the lawmaker in relation to the killings of at least four individuals in 2019.
He has also been tagged as the “mastermind” in the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, where a total of nine people were shot dead.
Teves — who has denied the accusations — traveled to the United States on Feb. 28, citing the need for medical treatment.
READ: Teves knew he will be implicated in a crime since January — lawyer
The travel authority issued to him by the House of Representatives expired on March 9, but his lawyer said Teves will only return to the country if he is assured of fair play in the Degamo murder case and once concerns about his safety are addressed.
Teves’ camp also alleged that the raids on his properties were highly illegal and irregular and that some of the seized weapons had been planted.
