The legal counsel of Arnolfo Teves Jr., former congressman of Negros Oriental, said that Teves’ inclusion to the red notice list of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) came as no surprise.
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, when sought for comment by GMA Integrated News, said that they were not surprised with the inclusion.
“The government has to do what it has to do. Secretary [Crispin] Remulla has to do his duty at siyempre miyembro po ang Pilipinas ng Interpol,” Topacio said in an ambush interview with GMA Integrated News.
However, Topacio said that a red notice is not mandatory.
He pointed out that the red notice is only a request for members of Interpol and international police in the event that should they see this person, there is a warrant against him.
“Ito ay pakiusap lamang sa mga members ng Interpol at international police na kung makikita niyo itong taong ito, ito ay may warrant sa aming jurisdiction baka pwede pakiaresto,” he said.
“Nasa mga authorities pa rin ng gobyernong yun, kung anong gagawin nila with respect to the red notice; ngayon kung may political asylum that maybe an exception to the implementation of the request,” Topacio added.
Meanwhile, the report said that Topacio declined to comment further on the current whereabouts of the former lawmaker.
Latest monitoring of the Department of Justice had it that Teves is still in Timor-Leste.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, in a post said, “your ruthless reign of terror is finally coming to an end. Interpol has answered our prayers and issued a red notice, instructing law enforcement agencies worldwide to hunt you down.”
March 4, 2024 will mark the first year since the slay happened in Degamo’s residence in Pamplona.
INTERPOL’S RED NOTICE
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on February 28, 2024 that the expelled lawmaker and alleged mastermind in the killing of Roel Degamo, governor of Negros Oriental, has been included in the red notice list, according to a report by GMA Integrated News.
Interpol clarified that a red notice is not an international arrest warrant.
A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
In a document obtained by GMA Integrated News, the red notice was issued on February 27, 2024.
The ex-solon’s status has been elevated from “suspect” to “Fugitive Wanted for Prosecution."
