Teves facing new complaint over alleged terrorism financing

State prosecutors have directed former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to appear before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for a preliminary probe set Wednesday and on December 19 for alleged terrorism financing.

According to the subpoena dated November 14, a complaint on financing terrorism under Section 4 of Republic Act (RA) 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012. as well as RA 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 has been filed against Teves.

“You are directed to file your counter-affidavit during the above-scheduled preliminary investigation,” the subpoena read.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ legal counsel, said he would attend the hearing on behalf of the former lawmaker.

Teves, who has yet to return to the Philippines, was designated as a terrorist along with 11 others by the Anti-Terrorism Council in August due to alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

The former lawmaker was recently spotted in Timor-Leste. He earlier entered the country to seek asylum in May but was denied by the Timor-Leste government.

The complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation against Teves and others. However, the subpoena was addressed to Axl Teves, Teves’ son.

The former solon is also facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges for the March 4 killing of late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others. A Manila court has issued an e-warrant for his arrest.

Aside from the murder of Degamo, the former lawmaker and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

Teves has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.

Counter-affidavits

In an ambush interview, Topacio said they asked for a copy of the complaint during the preliminary probe. He said the panel said they would give them a copy on December 19.

Meanwhile, he said the other respondents were also unable to file their counter-affidavits due to a lack of copies or blurred pages.

“Pero ganon talaga eh. It happens kapag ganitong ka-komplikadong kaso. Kasi nakita ko po ‘yung kopya ng prosecution… I think it’s around a 1,500 , more or less, pages. Ang kapal po,” Topacio said.

(It’s like that. It happens in complicated cases. Because I saw the copy of the prosecution… and I think it’s around 1,500 pages, more or less.)

“Kaya kapag nakakuha po kami, babasahin namin, at saka po kami hihingi ng panahon para makagawa kung anong dapat gawin,” he added.

(Once we get a copy, we will ask for time to plan for what we should do.)

Aside from Teves, Topacio said there were five other respondents, including Axl. He said he had informed Teves about the latest complaint.

“Hindi nga po kami masyadong nakapag usap aside from the fact na Cong. may bago na naman demanda at kasama si Axl. At yun nga po, sinabi niya, sige ikaw na rin ang mag represent sa akin at pati na kay Axl,” he said.

(We were unable to talk much aside from me telling him that there is a new complaint and that Axl is included. And he told me that I would represent both him and Axl.)

Topacio said they also filed their opposition on the motion seeking to cancel Teves’ passport.

“Well ang sabi lang namin ‘yung presumption of innocence, it is too early. It is the right of every citizen to hold a Philippine passport,” he said.

In a separate ambush interview, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said they are also seeking the inclusion of Teves on the red list.

“‘Yung application for Interpol has already started. I have yet to get the official feedback on whether he’s on the red list already,” Clavano said.

“’Yun po kasi yung kahulugan ng red notice as opposed to blue notice kung saan the blue notice may investigation, preliminary investigation, or investigation of the law enforcement. Pero sa red notice po kasi, kaliangan po talaga ng warrant of arrest galing sa korte,” he added.

(That is the meaning of the red notice as opposed to the blue notice where the blue notice should have a preliminary investigation or investigation of law enforcement. But for the red notice, there should be an arrest warrant.) — AOL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News