The widow of slain Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said they delight in the arrest of former Negros Oriental third district congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. in Timor-Leste on March 21, 2024, and that she is keen on visiting him in jail.
Teves is tagged as the mastermind of the Pamplona massacre on March 4, 2023. He was arrested based on Interpol red notice.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo said that the arrest offers a ray of hope to families of victims in the massacre inside the Degamo compound which killed the governor and nine others.
“Actually kagabi po nagtawagan kami, in fact there was one of the kasama namin na namatayan din who offered a sheep. It is something that gives us a ray of hope na talagang mabibigyan ng hustisya, with him being captured, more will come out. I am really positive on that,” Mayor Janice said in an interview over a government-owned news channel on March 22, 2024.
She expressed faith in the immediate repatriation of Teves to the country to face multiple charges in relation to the massacre in 2024 and in alleged series of killings in 2019.
“The next step is something that we will still entrust to our leaders of the government to facilitate and do what is right para talagang mapapanagot natin si Arnie [Teves’ nickname],” the mayor added.
In an interview with GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, Mayor Janice said she wants to see Teves personally in jail.
"Pamplona may be too far away from Timor but our voice of prayer has been heard nga kinahanglang mahatagan og hustisya ang atong mga pinanggang nangawala. I would like to see him in jail, maybe visit him in jail," she said.
Mayor Janice said that they have been anticipating Teves' arrest.
"We are happy na nangyayari na, it’s beginning to happen and mas lalo akong naniniwala at tumitibay ang aking paniniwala that justice will be ours, talagang makukuha natin ito for our loved ones,” the mayor further stated.
She thanked what she considers as a laudable act of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“Ang gihimo nila sa DOJ usa gyud ka commendable nga act, gihimo gyud ang tanan, ang pakig-istorya, nahatagan gyud ta og red notice para manubag ang angay’ng manubag bisan pag tua sila sa laing nasud,” she added.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 7 said it is prepared to present the testimonies and corresponding pieces of evidence against the accused.
“We are ready in case our arresting officers will be called to testify, we are very confident that what we have forwarded to the Department of Justice is an airtight case,” Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, PRO 7 spokesperson, said.
POWER OF COOPERATION
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the apprehension of Teves is a “testament to the power of international cooperation.”
“It sends a clear message that no terrorist can evade justice and that nations stand united in safeguarding the safety and security of their citizens,” Remulla said.
It was in August 2023 when the Anti-Terrorist Council designated Teves as a terrorist along with 11 others.
In the morning of March 22, 2024, officials of the Philippines and Timor-Leste met up on the scheduled return of Teves to the country.
DOJ said that Teves will be ushered into a jail facility once he arrives in the Philippines as charges against him for murder are non-bailable, and also to ensure his security while on trial.
Teves' legal counsel is yet to issue a statement as of this writing.
(With reports from Suzanne Salva Alueta/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)
