Arnie Teves arrives at Bilibid

Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. arrived at the Building 14 of New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City Friday afternoon.

Teves, the alleged mastermind in the killing of ex-Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, was brought to the detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation in NBP after a press conference at the NBI headquarters in Manila.

GMA Integrated News' John Consulta reported Teves was accompanied by his mother and legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.

He said Teves was transported in a bulletproof SUV.

In an interview with Unang Balita earlier in the day, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Teves will be transferred to the Bureau of Corrections facility because NBI has no detention facility in its office in Manila.

“Pinahiram sa amin ang Building 14 kung saan lahat ng detainees ng NBI doon inilalagay pero distinct and separate sa BuCor,” he said.

(We were lent Building 14 where all NBI detainees are held but it is distinct and separate from BuCor.)

In a press conference, Santiago said that Teves will be given his own room to help him acclimatize.

“Hindi naman po sa pagbibigay ng VIP treatment but para din sa— kumbaga ay i-acclimatize natin siya sa isang detention center,” Santiago said in a press briefing.

(It’s not about giving VIP treatment, but rather to acclimatize him to a detention center.)

“Ilalagay muna natin siya sa isang solo na room para mag acclimatize siya na being a detainee. Dahan-dahan ‘yang process na ‘yan,” he added.

(We will first place him in a solo room so he can acclimatize to being a detainee. That process takes time.)

Marathon hearings

Pamplona Mayor and Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative-elect Janice Degamo, widow of the slain governor, said she wants marathon hearings for a faster trial of Teves.

“Nakikita namin there is a need for a marathon hearing to happen (We see there is a need for a marathon hearing to happen),” Degamo told GTV’s Balitanghali in an interview on Friday.

“Nako-compare ko rin 'yung ibang kaso pong murder katulad ng nangyari sa Ampatuan case. It took them 10 years para po mailabas ang decision ng court, and that will be a very long wait. Kaya tinitignan namin yung angles na kung saan puwede mapabilis po 'yung paglilitis,” he added.

(We are also comparing it to other murder cases like the Ampatuan case. It took them 10 years to issue the court’s decision, and that will be a very long wait. So we are looking at angles where the trial can be expedited.)

Janice said their lawyers will make the request to the court for marathon hearings.

Teves, for his part, said he is also hoping for a speedy trial,

“Ito lang sana ‘yung request ko sa Korte. Sana mabilis ‘yung kaso. Sa totoo lang kung ta-trabahuhin talaga ‘yung kaso, sandali lang,” said Teves at the press briefing of the NBI.

(This is my only request to the Court. I hope the case proceeds quickly. Honestly, if the case is really worked on, it won’t take long.)

At least ma-ano na din, matapos na rin. Kahit nung nandoon ako [sa Timor-Leste], iniisip ko kung hindi man ako umuwi. Haharapin— kailangan din ito matapos eh,” he said.

(At least it will finally be over. Even when I was in Timor-Leste, I was already thinking that even if I didn’t return, this still had to be faced and resolved.)

Teves is back in the Philippines after being deported by authorities in Timor-Leste where he sought asylum.

The Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves from Timor-Leste landed in Davao City at 7:40 p.m. on Thursday for a stopover. It landed at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at past 11 p.m.

Teves was brought to the NBI in Manila where he underwent booking procedure and medical examination.

The former lawmaker was allegedly the mastermind in the killing of Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 in his residence in Pamplona.

But Teves has denied the accusation.—AOL, GMA Integrated News