IN what appears to be a major setback for the Department of Justice (DOJ), former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. won’t be home following the release of the prime suspect behind a carnage that took place in Pamplona town sometime in March last year.
No less than Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio made the announcement as he furnished the media soft copy of him accompanying the former congressman out of prison, months after being arrested in Dili by the Interpol last March.
“Rep. Arnoldo Teves released from preventive detention in Becora Prison in Dili, Timor Leste. No further comments at this time,” said Topacio in a message to newsmen.
Pressed to elaborate, Topacio disclosed that Teves’ release order was mainly because the Philippine government supposedly made the request out of time and in a manner that doesn’t conform under international laws.
“In other words, our government ‘screwed up’. Thus, his imprisonment was declared illegal,” Topacio boasted.
He however clarified that Teves won’t leave Timor Leste – at least for now, adding that the former congressman would have to attend legal proceedings for his continued stay in Timor Leste.
Meanwhile, the DOJ has declined to issue a statement regarding what they referred to as the “still unconfirmed” report.
Regarded as political kingpin of Negros Oriental, Teves is facing a loong list of criminal cases including that of the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4 last year. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
