Pamplona, Negros Oriental mayor Janice Degamo —Grig C. Montegrande
DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL, Philippines — A media stunt meant to deceive folks was how Mayor Janice Degamo of Pamplona city, Negros Oriental, described the current transfer of the camp of expelled Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to free and exonerate him from accusations of masterminding the bloodbath of her husband, former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, and 9 different people in March final yr.
“Negrenses have turn out to be accustomed to the deceit and trickery utilized by Arnie Teves and members of his terrorist group,” Degamo stated in a textual content message to the Inquirer on Tuesday.
“Yesterday’s (Monday) media stunt by Arnie’s authorized workforce was nothing greater than a photo-op designed to mislead the general public and unfold concern inside Negros Oriental that Arnie Teves had as soon as once more used his blood cash to flee justice,” she added.
READ: Teves rearrested, says DOJ
Remulla’s assertion
On Monday, the previous lawmaker’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio claimed that his shopper was launched from detention as a result of “our authorities screwed up” and the Philippines had filed its extradition request on the fallacious time.
Degamo, nevertheless, stated the Division of Justice (DOJ) had instructed her that Teves was taken into custody by Timor Leste’s nationwide police and he appeared earlier than the court docket on Tuesday morning for extradition proceedings.
In an announcement on Tuesday, the DOJ stated Teves’ launch from jail and subsequent rearrest had been “a part of the nation’s [legal] course of.” But it surely didn’t clarify why he was launched within the first place.
Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla additionally thanked the Timor Leste authorities for its “unwavering cooperation” to convey the previous lawmaker to justice.
“This rearrest underscores the sturdy partnership between our nations and our collective dedication to eradicating impunity, no matter one’s social standing or affect,” Remulla stated in an announcement.
“We look ahead to Mr. Teves going through the fees in opposition to him in a court docket of regulation [in the Philippines] and never anyplace else,” he added.
The DOJ additionally confirmed a photograph of Teves being handcuffed by three males, two of whom had been in police apparel, saying the picture was taken through the rearrest.
Teves was arrested by authorities whereas taking part in golf in Timor-Leste on March 21 this yr based mostly on a purple alert discover by the Worldwide Prison Police Group.
He was expelled by the Home of Representatives in August final yr after the DOJ filed prison fees in opposition to him and 4 others earlier than the Manila Regional Trial Court docket.
Degamo, in an earlier assertion, believed that there have been different victims of violence other than her husband.
Your subscription couldn’t be saved. Please attempt once more.
Your subscription has been profitable.
“The governor was simply one of many many victims. I hope lots of people will come out within the open and inform their tales too,” she stated. —with a report from Dona Z. Pazzibugan