Bato: Senate panel eyes recommending charges vs. Teves over several Negros Oriental killings

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs is eyeing the recommendation of charges against suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. over the killings in Negros Oriental, panel chairman, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Thursday.

Dela Rosa made the remark a day after the NBI filed murder and attempted murder complaints against Teves in relation to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. 

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously said that Teves appears to be the main mastermind behind the assassination of Degamo.

“The same naman ang direction ng ating investigation na ginagawa sa Senado at findings ng DOJ. Parallel,” Dela Rosa said in an interview on SuperRadyo dzBB.

The Senate panel had investigated at least 23 cases of killings and attacks in Negros Oriental including that of Governor Degamo.

“’Yung ibang mga kaso, other Negros killings na tinalakay natin magkakaroon ng recommendation na kakasuhan ang mga kakasuhan,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said among them is Teves.

The Senate panel has already concluded its investigation into the spate of killings in the province, where both the Teves and the Degamo camps were accused of having a hand in the attacks.

Earlier, Dela Rosa said both camps cannot claim that they are "absolutely clean" in connection with the spate of violence in Negros Oriental.

On Thursday, Teves' lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio described NBI's filing of cases against his client as "anti-climactic". Degamo's widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, however, believes they have a "solid" case against Teves.  —VAL, GMA Integrated News