Arnie Teves camp seeks continued NBI detention

The camp of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. has asked the courts handling his cases for his continued detention at the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) facility in the New Bilibid Prison.

In a 5-page urgent motion dated June 3, Teves asked the courts for him to be detained under the custody of the NBI at Building 14. 

His camp expressed concern over his safety as he is charged with allegedly masterminding the death of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and 10 others in March 2023. 

“While accused maintains his innocence for the said crimes, it is not far-fetched that the relatives and/or sympathizers of these many victims, who for some reasons may be already convinced of his guilt even before trial, are out there to seek vengeance, albeit misplaced, and are ready to take the law into their hands to harm him,” it read.

Teves’ camp also cited the Certificate of Handover signed by the Timor-Leste and Philippine government prior to the deportation. 

The certificate stated that Teves will be detained in “internationally compliant facilities, with access to legal counsel/medical care and any other rights given.” 

“An inspection by the legal counsels of accused herein reveals that Building 14 is indeed a secure facility that is compliant with the internationally-accepted requisites of a detention facility, especially when it comes to the safety and security of the accused,” it read.

“In addition, the said detention building is not overcrowded and small in area; the population is easy to manage and monitor,” it added.

Last week, a Manila court has ordered Teves’ transfer from the NBI’s detention facility to the Manila City Jail. However, NBI Director Jaime Santiago halted the transfer as other courts may decide to convict him elsewhere.

Aside from the Degamo case, Teves and several others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News