Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 15) — The prosecutor general said murder charges have been filed against Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves in connection with three killings that happened in 2019.
\”As reported to me, yes,\” Benedicto Malcontento said when asked if charges have been filed against the embatled lawmaker.
Last week, state prosecutors said they found enough evidence to file murder charges against Teves in connection with three killings in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Teves’ camp said they were not surprised by the charges.
Besides Teves, six other individuals linked to him were named respondents in the complaint, including Gemuel Hobro whom the government said confessed to the crimes.
In an earlier briefing on Tuesday, Justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the National Prosecution Service (NPS) was on its way to Negros Oriental to file the case.
Once the case has been formally filed, the DOJ can then proceed to make a request to have the case transferred to the Manila Regional Trial Court. At a briefing, Justice secretary Jesus Crispin \”Boying\” Remulla said the case could be filed by Wednesday.
“Initial venue niyan [The initial venue] should be in Negros before it is transferred by formal motion to Manila,” he explained.
Remulla believes the case will have an effect on Teves’ movements, especially once an arrest warrant is released.
“When we have a proper warrant of arrest based on this crime then the Interpol notices will go red and there will be no more movement allowed between borders and boundaries,” he said.
Teves’ camp has not yet released a statement on the matter.
