Arnie Teves now on INTERPOL red notice

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, has been included in the red notice list of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Wednesday.

According to INTERPOL, a red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

INTERPOL clarified that a red notice is not an international arrest warrant.

But for Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, a red notice is almost equivalent to an international warrant of arrest.

“Para itong equivalent nga ng international warrant of arrest at lahat ng miyembro ng INTERPOL ay put on notice tungkol dito (this is like an equivalent to an international warrant of arrest where all members are notified),” Remulla said at a press briefing.

“Aktibo nang hahanapin, at saka kapag nag cross ng borders… na-accost. On notice na talaga lahat na itong taong ito ay hinahanap ng batas at dapat panagutin sa mga nangyaring mga krimen na siya ay akusado,” he added.

(They will actively search for him, when he crosses borders, if he is accosted. Everybody is on notice that this person is being sought after and should be held accountable for the crimes that he is accused of.)

Remulla said other countries could notify the Philippines or conduct the arrest themselves.

“Pwede sila mag inform sa atin. Depende ‘yan eh. Kung gusto nilang sila manghuli o tayo manghuhuli, pwede nila hulihin talaga. Kaya lang baka mamamaya mas gusto nila na mag padala tayo ng team doon,” he said.     

(They can inform us. But it depends. They may want to arrest him themselves. If they want it to be them or if they want it to be us, they can choose to arrest him. But there’s a chance that they want us to send a team there.

Remulla said they are already looking into the possibility of sending a team from the National Bureau of Investigation to Timor-Leste, where the former lawmaker was last spotted.

Red Notice

A document obtained by GMA Integrated News showed that the red notice was issued on Tuesday.

Last Feb. 19, Teves was include in INTERPOL's blue notice. According to INTERPOL, a blue notice requires member countries to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.

In both Interpol notices, Teves is said to be located in Cambodia.

The ex-lawmaker’s status has been elevated from “suspect” to “Fugitive Wanted for Prosecution”.

Actions to be taken if traced include “provisional arrest” in view of extradition. Sources said should Teves attempt to flee to a country which is a member of the INTERPOL, the former lawmaker can be apprehended and sent back to the Philippines via extradition.

Authorities previously said that Teves was jumping between Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Thailand. It was in Timor-Leste where he sought asylum and was rejected.

INTERPOL noted that Teves has a warrant of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder over the March 4 attack against Degamo and others while the governor was distributing aid at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

A blue notice was also previously issued by INTERPOL against Teves, according to Remulla in May last year.

‘Not surprised’

When sought for comment, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the legal counsel of Teves, said that they were not surprised with the inclusion.

“The government has to do what it has to do. Secretary Remulla has to do his duty at siyempre miyembro po ang Pilipinas ng INTERPOL (and of course, the Philippines is a member of INTERPOL),” Topacio said in an ambush interview.

However, Topacio said that a red notice is not mandatory.

“Ito ay pakiusap lamang sa mga members ng INTERPOL at international police na kung makikita niyo itong taong ito, ito ay may warrant sa aming jurisdiction baka pwede pakiaresto,” he said.

(This is only a request for members of INTERPOL and international police in the event that should they see this person, there is a warrant against him in our jurisdiction, and if you could arrest him.)

Topacio, meanwhile, declined to comment on the current whereabouts of the former lawmaker.

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

Canceled passport

Meanwhile, it said that the Anti-Terrorism Council has designated Teves and 12 others as terrorists, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

The House of Representatives in mid-August voted to expel Teves for disorderly conduct and his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.

In early February, a Manila Court ordered the cancellation of his passport.

In a separate interview, Remulla said Teves' passport has been officially canclled.

However, Topacio said they seek to appeal this before a higher judicial authority. — with report from Saleema Refran/KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News