Arnie Teves not rearrested, under custody for extradition hearing —Topacio

Former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. was not rearrested but placed under the court’s custody for his extradition hearing, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told reporters Tuesday.

Topacio made the clarification in response to the statement of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano that Teves, alleged mastermind in the killing of former Negros Oriental govenor Roel Degamo in March last year, was rearrested after a brief release on Monday.

“Nagkataon lang na ngayon ang first hearing ng extradition ni Congressman Teves wherein we will be presenting evidence.  Hindi naman arrested because this is not an arrest in the strictest sense of the word. Under the rules, which is similar to us, the requesting state [for extradition] or the court itself, may motu propio, may place the person requesting extradition under its custody to ensure that he or she will be attending the proceedings. He was not re-arrested for any crime,” Topacio said.

“He was not rearrested for crimes he allegedly committed in the Philippines but because of the extradition process which is a separate civil procedure,” he added.

As such, Topacio said Clavano should not call his statements misleading or irresponsible because the DOJ spokesperson has no personal knowledge of what is happening in Timor Leste where Teves is seeking political asylum.

“Malinaw roon sa ipinadala ko, immediate restoration of liberty to Congressman Teves because there are flaws on the Philippines’ request for extradition. This concerns a [writ of] habeas corpus (right against illegal detention) case,” he said.

“Wala naman siya (Clavano) rito. Hindi niya alam ang ang mga pangyayari. Kung sinasabi niya na hindi na release si Congressman Teves, pagdating ko, sasalpak ko sa mukha niya iyong order kung gusto niya,” Topacio added.

(Clavano's not here. He does not know what is happening here. If he is saying that Congressman Teves was not released, when I return I will stick into his face the order if he wants it.) 

Topacio also said that Teves willingly submitted himself to Timor Leste authorities.  The former congressman was in a holding area guarded by Timor Leste’s national police force pending his extradition hearing, the lawyer added.

“Hindi naman po ito selda (This is not a jail). There’s nobody arrested here,” Topacio said.

“When he was released, we were even able to go to the chapel and say prayers. We were also able to go to his residence where he met his family members,” he added.

Topacio said he would testify in the extradition hearing, alongside fellow lawyers Roberto Diokno and Salvador Panelo and former Commission on Human Rights commissioner Wilhelm Soriano, to assert that Teves is being politically persecuted by linking him to the death of Degamo.

“We’ll tell the court how the Justice department railroaded this, how all the witnesses recanted by they still pursued the case, a meeting where the President (Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.) expressed to me that it was his personal belief that Congressman Teves was guilty of the murder of governor Degamo even without the official investigation having been terminated,” he said.

“Now, if the President, the Chief Executive is saying you are guilty, anong laban mo diyan?,” Topacio added.

The Justice department, in response, said Teves should face the criminal charges filed against him and that the Philippine government will adhere to due process.

“This apprehension [of Teves] marks a pivotal moment in our relentless pursuit of justice. We assure the public and the international community that all legal procedures will be strictly adhered to, and Mr. Teves' human rights will be respected throughout this process," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

"We must also emphasize the relentless pursuit of justice for the victims and their families who have long awaited accountability. Any attempts to destabilize the relationship between our nations or undermine justice will not be tolerated,” he added.

"We look forward to Mr. Teves facing the charges against him in a court of law, and not anywhere else. Let this serve as a clear and unequivocal message: the Philippines remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice, and we will continue to uphold the principles of accountability and the rule of law,” Remulla said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News