Court orders Arnie Teves transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa

A Manila court has denied the motion of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.  to remain detained under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the New Bilibid Prison.  

In a 5-page order, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 issued a commitment order transferring Teves from the NBI to the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

Branch 51 handles the Teves murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder case over the alleged killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and 10 others in 2023.

“This Court finds no merit in the motion of the accused to maintain his custody with the NBI detention facility,” the Court said.

In his motion, Teves' camp expressed concern over his safety. It also cited the Certificate of Handover signed by the Timor-Leste and Philippine government prior to the deportation. 

However, the RTC said the certificate does not state that a specific agency must take custody of Teves as a prerequisite for his transfer.

It also did not give weight to Teves’ claim that he may be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

“While the detention facilities in our country may not possess the luxuries a person may have been accustomed to, the detention therein does not automatically make it inhuman or degrading treatment upon one detainee’s mere say so,” it said.

“Aside from this claim, the court failed to see any threats against the safety and life of the accused Teves, Jr. mentioned in the motion and how letting him remain in the custody of the NBI facility will secure him against said threats,” it added.

The Court said that it appears that Teves is choosing his detention facility “for his own convenience.”

GMA News Online has asked the NBI regarding the possible transfer.

The Manila RTC Branch 12, which is handling Teves’ illegal possession of firearms and explosives case, has previously ordered his transfer to the Manila City Jail.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago, however, held off the transfer, explaining that several courts are handling Teves’ cases and may order his detention in other areas.

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. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News