After 2 months, NBI files murder raps vs Teves for Degamo slay

MANILA, Philippines — Suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. was finally
named a respondent in the criminal cases filed over the death of his political rival Gov. Roel
Degamo and nine other people, more than two months after the brazen killings.
After a series of delays, the National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday formally filed a
complaint against Teves for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder on several counts.

The lawmaker, who was abroad when the attack was carried out on March 4 at Degamo’s
residential compound in Pamplona town, has refused to return to the country, citing threats on his
life.
But Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it would be in Teves’ own interest to come back
and respond to the criminal complaints against him, lest his absence hasten his indictment before
the court.

The charges are now pending before a panel of prosecutors at the Department of Justice
(DOJ), which will first determine if there is probable cause to indict Teves. “[He will be issued a]
subpoena, then [he needs to] file a counteraffidavit … He can’t file that in absentia. He has to
personally appear to swear by the contents of this counteraffidavit,” Remulla told reporters.
“He has to come home or they will file the case in court and a warrant will be issued in
absentia,” he said.

Until Wednesday, Teves had only been a “person of interest” in the murder case, though
Remulla, in media interviews, had repeatedly accused him of orchestrating the killings, citing the
testimony of some of the suspected gunmen now in government custody. A tenth victim died on
May 7 due to gunshot wounds.

Teves’ counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, who earlier criticized the slow progress of the DOJ’s
case against his client, said “it’s about time” that the complaints were filed.
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suspended negros orriental rep arnolfo teves Jr. was finally named a resnpodent in the criminal
cases filed over the death of his political rival Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other people, more
than two months after the BRAZEN killings. MANILA, Philippines —

tfter a series of delays, the National Bureau of Investigation on wednesday formally filed a
complaint against teves for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder on several counts.

the lawmaker, who was abroad when the attack was carried out on march four at degamos
residential compound in Pamplona town, has refused to return to the country, citing threats on his
life.
But justice sec.JESUS CRISPIN REMULLA said it would be in teves own interest to come back
and respond to the criminal complaints against him, lest his absence hasten his indictment before
the court.

the charges are now pending before a panel of proscutors at the department of justice (DOJ),
which will first determine if there is probable cause to indict teves. “He will be issued a supoena,
then he needs to file a counteraffidavit … He can’t file that in absenti. He has to personally
appear to swear by the contents of this counteraffidavit,” Remulla told reporters.
“He has to come Home or they will file the case in court and a Warrant will be issued in
absentia,” he said.

Until Wednesday, Teves had only been a “PERSON of interest” in the case murder, though
Remulla, in media interviews, had repeatedly accused him of orchestratin the killings, siting the
testiMONY of some of the suspected gun men now in govern ment custody. A tenth victim died
on may seven due to gun shot wo
unds.

Teves’ cansel Ferdinand topacio, who earlier criticised the slow progress of the doj’s case
against her client, said “it’s about time” that the complaints were field.
.