DOJ starts process to tag Arnie Teves a terrorist

The Department of Justice has started the process for the designation of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

In an interview, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla indicated that three others may be tagged as terrorists along with the lawmaker.

"This morning the Anti-Terror Council met already and I’ve made a case already for the designation," Remulla said.

"We started the process of designating Congressman Arnie Teves as a terrorist and a technical working group has been formed to recommend the action of the ATC as to the designation of Arnie Teves and with that, I just made a case out of it," he added.

Asked why Teves had to be tagged as a terrorist, Remulla adverted to his alleged involvement in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo who was shot by several gunmen inside his residence.

Eight others were killed in the attack which happened while the governor was leading the distribution of cash assistance at his home.

"Governor Degamo is the highest locally elected official in the whole of Negros Oriental and for that person to be killed in his own home by a group of professional soldiers and of course recorded for posterity by the CCTV system shows us how brazen the crime was," Remulla said.

"If a person with the rank of governor can be killed in his own home because of forces like this then who will not be terrorized by such an action," Remulla said.

GMA News Online is trying to get Teves' comment on the latest action against him and will publish his side as soon as it is available.

"The case against Cong Teves for multiple murder, for multiple frustrated murder, multiple attempted murder will be filed very soon," Remulla said.

Teves has repeatedly denied his involvement in Degamo's killing, saying he had nothing to gain from it.

"Ang pakiramdam ko, sa totoo lang, nakakatawa na,” Teves said in a Zoom interview.

(I feel it has become rather funny, to tell you the truth.)

“It’s becoming to be a circus. 'Di ba? Paano ka magiging terorista kung hindi ka pa nga nakakasuhan? Sabay, paano ka magiging mastermind in the first place, 'di ba, kung wala man silang, walang—there’s nothing,” he added.

(How can you be a terrorist when you have yet to be charged? Also, how can you be the mastermind if in the first place, there's nothing.)

Remulla said Marvin Miranda, an alleged associate of Teves, had been included in the ATC case.

Miranda had been indicted for nine counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder in connection with the attack on Degamo's residence.

"We call it the Teves criminal group and Teves criminal organization. There are at least four people that will be pointed out already as part of the terrorist organization," Remulla said.

"Certainly there are three others, including Marvin Miranda or casting director," he added. —NB, GMA Integrated News