Alleged gunman supposedly used by Teves family in Dumaguete arrested in QC —CIDG

An alleged gunman who was supposedly used by the Teves family in Dumaguete City has been arrested in Quezon City on Tuesday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the CIDG identified him as Police Staff Sergeant Noel Santa Ana Alabata Jr., also known as Alfonso Edena Tan.

He was arrested for attempted murder and attempted homicide charges.

The arrest warrant for attempted murder was issued in Dumaguete City by Regional Trial Court Branch 35 Presiding Judge of the 7th Judicial Region Glenda J. Yee-Uymatiao. The fixed bail was recommended at P120,000.00.

The warrant for arrest for attempted homicide meanwhile was signed in Dumaguete City by MTCC Branch 1, 7th Judicial Region Presiding Judge Dinah Bagares Tabada-Chu, and bail was set at P36,000.00.

CIDG chief Police Brigadier Romeo Caramat Jr. said the accused was formerly assigned to PDEG Region 6 and allegedly used by the Teves family as a hitman for a certain “Ong”, a rival of the Teveses in their business.

Alabata was brought to the CIDG DSOU Office for documentation and custody while awaiting a commitment order from the issuing court, the CIDG said.

“Patuloy ang pag-verify namin sa akusado na itinuturong gunman ng mga Teves upang malaman kung meron pa itong mga kinasasangkutan na kaso. Magiging patas kami sa lahat ng aming makukuhang impormasyon at sisiguraduhin na mananagot siya sa ating batas," Caramat said.

(We are continuing to verify [information] against the accused who is allegedly the gunman of the Teveses to determine if he is also involved in other cases. We will be fair in handling information gathered and we will ensure that he will be held responsible.)

GMA News Online has contacted the legal counsel of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. for comment but has yet to receive a statement. —with reports from Giselle Ombay and Llanesca Panti/KG, GMA Integrated News