Teves to share room with another inmate, no special treatment in Bilibid —legal counsel

Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will share a room with another inmate at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, his legal counsel Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said Saturday.

"Just to be clear: While Dir. Santiago of the NBI stated during yesterday's presser that Rep. Teves will — in the meantime — be alone in a cell in Building 14, we have agreed to abide by ALL rules for detention prisoners, including sharing of cells. This is to prevent any possible criticism against Dir. Santiago, whom I have known for quite some time, and personally hold in the highest esteem," Topacio said in a statement.

Topacio said Teves will thus share a ten-square meter cell with a bunk bed and another inmate, having a common toilet bowl and a small electric fan, which is the same as any other cell.

"There is no special treatment for Mr. Teves," Topacio said.

Teves, the alleged mastermind in the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, is back in the Philippines after being deported on Thursday by authorities in Timor-Leste, where he sought asylum.

From the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at past 11 p.m., Teves was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila on Thursday night where he underwent booking procedure and medical examination.

He was then transferred at the Building 14 of New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City Friday afternoon.

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.

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 tatrabahuhin 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 nu'ng nandoon ako [sa Timor-Leste], iniisip ko kung hindi man ako umuwi, haharapin — kailangan din ito matapos eh,” he said.

(At least it will be over soon. Even when I was there [in Timor-Leste], I was thinking that even if I don't go home, I have to face the charges. This has to be finished.)

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. —KG, GMA Integrated News