Manila Court enters not guilty plea for Teves in Negros Oriental board member murder case

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. on Tuesday again did not enter a plea in another case, this time for the alleged killing of a former board member in the third district of Negros Oriental, his lawyer said.

Teves was arraigned at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 for the alleged murder of Michael Dungog.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves' legal counsel, said the court entered the "not guilty" plea for his client.

“He is still protesting the manner by which he was repatriated by the Philippine Government,” Topacio said in an ambush interview.

Teves also previously did not enter a plea for his consolidated case of illegal possession of firearms and illegal possession of explosives, as well as his multiple murder case over the alleged killing of late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

He also did not enter a plea for his terrorism financing case before the QC RTC Branch 77.

Teves 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. —VAL, GMA Integrated News