Pamplona Massacre: Mayor Janice Degamo Labels Arnie Teves Alleged Release A ‘Media Stunt’
PAMPLONA MASSACRE – Mayor Janice Degamo called the alleged release of former lawmaker Arnie Teves a ‘media stunt.’
Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona, Negros Oriental, described the recent actions of Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s camp, who was expelled, as a deceptive media ploy to clear him of charges related to the murder of her husband, former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, and nine other people in March of last year.
“Negrenses have become accustomed to the deceit and trickery used by Arnie Teves and members of his terrorist group,” Degamo said in a text message to the Inquirer on Tuesday.
“Yesterday’s (Monday) media stunt by Arnie’s legal team was nothing more than a photo-op designed to mislead the public and spread fear within Negros Oriental that Arnie Teves had once again used his blood money to escape justice,” she added.
Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ attorney, asserted on Monday that the Philippines mistimed their extradition request and that Teves was released from jail as a result of an error on the part of the administration.
However, Degamo mentioned that the Department of Justice (DOJ) informed her that Teves was detained by Timor Leste’s national police and appeared in court on Tuesday morning for extradition proceedings.
In a statement on Tuesday, the DOJ clarified that Teves’ release and subsequent rearrest were part of the legal process but did not explain why he was initially released.
Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla thanked the Timor Leste government for its cooperation in bringing the former lawmaker to justice.
“This rearrest underscores the robust partnership between our nations and our collective commitment to eradicating impunity, regardless of one’s social status or influence,” Remulla said in a statement.
“We anticipate Mr. Teves facing charges in a Philippine court,” he added.
The DOJ also released a photo of Teves being handcuffed by three men, two in police uniforms, during his rearrest.
Teves was arrested on March 21 while playing golf in Timor-Leste, based on a red alert notice from the International Criminal Police Organization.
He was expelled from the House of Representatives in August after the DOJ filed criminal charges against him and four others in the Manila Regional Trial Court.