THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is closely coordinating with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for the possible arrest of expelled Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.
In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo admitted that putting Teves under arrest will be a challenge to the authorities considering that he is currently out of the country.
Teves is reportedly in Timor Leste where he sought asylum but was denied of such request.
Fajardo said the Philippines does not have an extradition treaty with Timor Leste.
“Alam naman natin lahat na nasa labas ng bansa si Congressman Teves so that is one of the challenges we are facing especially kung ‘yung kanyang kinaroroonan ngayon ay wala tayong extradition treaty but nonetheless, hindi naman ito nangangahulugan na wala na tayo pupuwedeng magawa. As of now, ang inyong pambansang pulisya is closely coordinating sa Interpol and we are also coordinating doon sa mga ibang ahensya ng gobyerno katulad ng DOJ (Department of Justice) pati na rin DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),” she said.
(We all know that Congressman Teves is out of the country so that is one of the challenges we are facing especially if we do not have an extradition treaty where he is now but nevertheless, this does not mean that we cannot do anything. As of now, your national police are closely coordinating with Interpol and we are also coordinating with other government agencies such as the DOJ (Department of Justice) as well as the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs).)
“Alam naman natin na na designated as terrorist si Cong. Teves at nag-aantay tayo ng advice sa DOJ sa mga designation as terrorist would somehow help us in pursuing our case, including service of WOA, including his co-accused in this case,” she added.
(We already know that Cong. Teves has been designated as a terrorist. Teves and we are waiting for advice from the DOJ on the designation as terrorist would somehow help us in pursuing our case, including service of WOA, including his co-accused in this case.)
Fajardo said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) also has formed tracker teams to locate Teves’ co-accused.
On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 Judge Merianthe Pacita M. Zuraek issued an arrest warrant against Teves, Angelo Palagtiw and his alleged sister identified as “Jie Ann” or “Gie Ann” and helicopter pilot Captain Lloyd Garcia II in relation to the charges of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder filed against them by the DOJ on August 18.
The charges stemmed from their alleged involvement in the brazen killing of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4.
Another co-accused, Nigel Electona, who was arrested in March 24 will be transferred to the Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan from the Manila City Jail as ordered by the court.
In July, the court indicted Winrich Isturis, Joric Labrador, Benjie Rodriguez, Eulogio and John Louie Gonyong, Joven Javier, Dahniel Lora, Romel Pattaguan, Jhudiel Rivero, Rogelio Antipolo Jr. and Marvin Miranda over Degamo’s execution.
The arraignment and pre-trial conference on the case was rescheduled to October 4. (SunStar Philippines)