Arnie Teves camp asks UN, special rapporteurs to look into his case

The camp of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who is facing multiple murder charges in the country, on Monday said they have asked the United Nations (UN) to look into his case.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ legal counsel, said they asked the UN and its special rapporteurs to look into whether there was a violation of the former lawmaker’s rights.

“Mr. Teves has resorted to the remedy of bringing the matter of his harassment and political persecution before the UN Commission on Human Rights,” Topacio said at a media briefing.  

Topacio said their camp filed the pleadings last week.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the Department of Justice (DOJ) but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Degamo killing

Teves is accused of masterminding the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo while the official was distributing aid at his residence in Pamplona in March 2023. The death toll is listed at ten.

He was out of the country at the time of the attack and never returned following the governor’s death. Teves has repeatedly denied any involvement in the killing.  

He was arrested in Timor-Leste in March based on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February.

In June, the Department of Justice announced that Timor-Leste granted the extradition of Teves.

The Teves camp then filed their motion for reconsideration on the ruling on July 26, Friday before the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste.

READ: TIMELINE: Degamo killing and murder raps vs. Arnie Teves

According to Topacio, the Timor-Leste CA has yet to decide on their appeal.

For its part, the DOJ previously said it is “doubly confident” that Timor-Leste will affirm its earlier ruling granting the extradition request of the Philippines

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

Teves and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority. — RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News