Metro Manila, Philippines – Former lawmaker Arnie Teves – now in the hands of the government – has insisted that his “conscience is clear” amid multiple murder charges.
After his deportation from Timor-Leste, Teves, along with his legal counsel and mother, appeared in a press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday, May 30.
READ: Teves back in PH
Asked why he stayed in Timor-Leste for two years after the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo instead of dealing with his charges, Teves replied: “My concern is, really, my life, my security.”
Now that he is back to face multiple charges, Teves made a request to the court.
“Sana mabilis ‘yung kaso dahil sa totoo lang kung tatrabahuhin talaga ‘yung kaso, sandali lang matapos,” he said.
[Translation: I hope the case would be resolved immediately because actually, it could be quickly concluded if they work on it.]
His counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, said they would exhaust all legal means.
“The lawyers who comprise the team to defend Mr. Teves will do everything under the law to give him the best defense,” he said.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said they will return the warrant and submit a certificate of detention to the court on Friday. The court will then set a date for Teves’ arraignment.
Teves is detained in the NBI facility at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
Santiago said there will be no special treatment for the former House of Representatives member, and that his rights will be observed.
“Ilalagay muna namin siya sa isang solo na room para mag-acclimatize siya being a detainee. Dahan-dahan ang process na ‘yan,” the chief said.
[Translation: We will temporarily put him in a solo room for the detainee to be acclimatized. It is a gradual process.]
Teves has been tagged as the alleged mastermind in the Degamo slay case. He is facing 13 counts each of murder and frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder for crimes committed between 2019 to 2023.
