AMLC freezes Arnie Teves’ assets after terrorist tag

The Anti-Money Laundering Council has frozen all the assets of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. after he was designated as a terrorist by the  Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

"The Anti-Money Laundering Council issuance of a freeze order is based under the ATAs Section 25 in relation to Section 36," AMLC legal officer Luis Anthony Warren said at a Palace press briefing.

"So, upon the designation of an individual or organization, it is ministerial upon the part of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue an ex parte order to freeze without delay the assets of the subjects in this case. So, that’s all," he added.

Teves and 12 others have been tagged as terrorists due to several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

The ATC said their violations include committing terrorism; planning, training, preparing, and facilitating the commission of terrorism; recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization; and providing material support to terrorists.

The lawmaker was tagged as the mastermind behind the attack on the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4.

Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured in the attack. The death toll in the attack has reached 10.

For the ATC, the numerous killings and harassments in Negros Oriental which culminated in the assassination of Degamo should not be considered as isolated and random incidents of violence.

“Prior to the assassination of Gov. Degamo, numerous politically and economically motivated killings were attributed to Cong. Teves, Jr. and his armed group of followers/supporters,” the ATC said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday urged Teves to face his charges against him in the proper forum and not on social media.

Atty. Mico Clavano, spokesman of the DOJ, said at a press briefing that authorities have information as to the whereabouts of Teves.

"We have information, it comes from different sources as to where he is. Ang gusto lang po namin iparating sa kampo ni Congressman Teves ay harapin sana 'yung mga charges sa kanya," Clavano said.

(We just want to tell the camp of Congressman Teves that hopefully he would face the charges against him.)

"Kung talagang sinasabi niya na wala siyang kinalaman dito, there's a proper forum for it. Hindi naman sa social media, dito po sa ating venue which is the preliminary investigation where he is asked to file his counter-affidavit," he added.

(If indeed he has nothing to do with the case, there's a proper forum for it. It's not in the social media but the venue is here, which is the preliminary investigation where he has been asked to file his counter-affidavit.)

Clavano said Teves is still not considered a fugitive despite being out of the Philippines since February and the terrorist tag. He said there remained no warrant for Teves' arrest.

“He is not considered as a fugitive as this is a separate and distinct from a criminal action. It is only when you are issued a warrant of arrest that you become a fugitive or your status becomes as a fugitive," Clavano said.

"Right now, he is designated as a terrorist, but that’s as far as we go,” he added.

Teves was earlier cleared to travel to the United States from February 28 to March 9 for a personal trip.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that Teves appeared to be the main mastermind in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4.

The suspended congressman has since then refused to return to the Philippines, citing concerns about his security and safety. —NB, GMA Integrated News