THE Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Saturday, March 18, 2023, the dismissal of a complaint against Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The said complaint was filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and is one of eight filed against Teves.

In a resolution issued Saturday, which was signed by Prosecution Attorney Victor Dalanao Jr. with the approval of Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, it said the complaint against Teves was not a "proper subject for inquest" since Teves was not arrested during the implementation of the search operation.

"Considering that there is [not] enough evidence to proceed to a regular preliminary investigation with regard to him, the complaint against respondent Teves is dismissed," the resolution reads.

Authorities earlier raided several residences owned by Teves in Negros Oriental, which started on March 10 by virtue of a search warrant over illegal firearms.

The raids were connected to the murder charges that were filed against Teves and five other individuals on March 7 by the CIDG in relation to the killing of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

Teves is alleged mastermind behind the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo and eight civilians.

The congressman has already denied involvement in Degamo's assassination, although he admitted that they were political rivals.

Teves currently faces the possibility of suspension, expulsion or removal from his position as he has continuously refused to comply with the House leadership's directive to return to the country. He is given five days to explain his continued absence in the House of Representatives despite his expired travel authority. (SunStar Philippines)