Manila court holds pre-trial hearing in Degamo murder case

A Manila court on Wednesday held a pre-trial hearing for Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.’s multiple murder case over the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others in March 2023, a lawyer said.

The hearing took place at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51. 

“During the pre-trial, the parties proposed certain stipulations of facts and identified the issues and also enumerated the proposed witnesses,” said Atty. Andrei Bon Tagum, the legal representative of Degamo's widow, Negros Oriental third district Representative Janice Degamo.

Teves is facing murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder charges over the killing of Degamo and several others on March 4, 2023, at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

The next hearing has been scheduled for September 5, Tagum said.

Teves and several others were also charged over the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

The former Negros Oriental lawmaker had refused to enter a plea in his cases, prompting various Manila courts to enter a not guilty plea for him.

The Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and 12 others as terrorists in July 2023. –VBL, GMA Integrated News