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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Terrorism charges filed vs expelled Rep Teves, 15 others before DOJ; formal probe starts

Terrorism charges filed vs expelled Rep Teves, 15 others before DOJ; formal probe starts

Published Dec 13, 2023 08:43 am

Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and 15 other persons including his brother, former governor Henry Pryde, and son Axel are facing criminal complaints for terrorism financing and providing material support to terrorists before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV confirmed on Wednesday, Dec. 13, that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed another complaint against the expelled lawmaker and several other persons. 

“May natanggap na tayo na AMLC report. Ito na siguro yung naging resulta ng report na yun (We already received a report from the Anti-Money Laundering Council. This case could be the result of that report),” Clavano, also the DOJ spokesperson, said.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, the legal counsel of Arnie, said the panel of prosecutors assigned to the case conducted at the DOJ main office in Manila on Wednesday, Dec. 13, the first hearing on the preliminary investigation of the complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Ito kasi ‘yung kauna-unahang pagdinig sa bagong kaso na isinampa sa, kung hindi ako nagkakamali, 16 na respondents at kasama po d’yan si Cong. Arnie Teves at anak n’yang si Axel (This is the first heandaring on the new case that was filed, if I am not mistaken, against 16 persons including Teves and his son),” Topacio told journalists covering the DOJ.

During the hearing, Topacio said he asked the panel for a copy of the complaint.

Topacio recounted “nangako ang panel of prosecutors na sila po ay magbibigay sa 19 ng Disyembre (the panel promised to give copies of the complaint on Dec. 19).

Under the complaint, the 16 respondents are accused of financing terrorism under Section 4 of Republic Act 10168, the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012; and providing material support to terrorists as defined and penalized under RA 11479, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

The other respondents in the complaint include Marvin H. Miranda, Dany O. Coral, Ana Lisa G. Sy, Jose Roel V. Teves, Giovani A. Teves, Thomas A. Teves, Czarina Teresa B. Teves, Capt. Llyod C. Garcia II, Niel Andrew Go, Jason Vergara, Angelo Palagtiw, and a certain Gee Ann.

“Ang nakalagay po sa batas ay kung ikaw ay nagpopondo ng mga bagay na may kaugnayan sa terorismo ay ikaw ay liable (The law says that you are liable if you are financing things that have to do with terrorism),” said Topacio.

However,  Topacio could not provide details about what accusations were made since he has yet to read the contents of the complaints.

“Nakita ko po ‘yung kopya ng prosecution at tingin ko mga tatlong ream ng papel or I think around 1,500 pages. Ang kapal po (I saw the copies with the prosecutors and were three reams thick or around 1,500 pages. It’s so thick),” Topacio observed.

“Kaya ‘pag nakakuha kami babasahin namin at tsaka po kami hihingi ng panahon para makagawa ng kung ano dapat gawin para sa amin (Once we get copies of the complaints we will read them and ask for more time to answer),” he said.

Meanwhile, Clavano revealed that DOJ prosecutors have filed a motion before a court seeking the cancellation of the passport of Arnie.

“So we're just waiting on the resolution of that motion,” said the lawyer.

On his part, Topacio said he has already filed an opposition to the motion of the prosecution.

Aside from the complaint pending before DOJ, the expelled lawmaker is already facing multiple charges in courts.

Arrest  warrants has already been issued against Arnie Teves for multiple murder charges in the March 4, 2023 killings in Pamplona town in Negros Oriental.  One of the 10 persons killed was Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo.

Also, warrants of arrest have been issued against Arnie Teves on the murder of three persons in 2019. Killed were former Negros Oriental board member and former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent Michael Dungog; Lester Bato, a body guard of Basay mayoralty candidate Cliff Cordova; and Pacito Libron, an alleged hitman associated with the expelled congressman 

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