No Teves, no lawyer as DoJ cancels preliminary probe on Degamo slay

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) has postponed the preliminary investigation on the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo following the failure of alleged mastermind suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. or his counsel to appear before the panel of prosecutors.

The DoJ panel of prosecutors has set the hearing anew on June 27.

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo; lawyer Levi Baligod, families of other victims who were killed in the assassination of Degamo, lawyer Levi Baligod, and suspects attend a preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DoJ) in Manila on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The DoJ, however, cancelled the investigation after prime suspect and Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio failed to appear. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN 

Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said that the appearance of Teves is important in the initial investigation as it would give him the opportunity to file his counter-affidavit on the accusations against him.

Remulla said the suspended lawmaker needs to personally appear to swear by the contents of his counter-affidavit.

Remulla said the summons were issued to Teves’ last known address, adding that the suspended legislator “has to personally appear to swear by the contents of his counter-affidavit.”

“He has to come home or they will file the case in court and a warrant will be issued in absentia (in his absence),” Remulla warned.

If a warrant of arrest is issued and Teves is not arrested or refused to surrender, then he becomes a fugitive from justice, he said.

Teves has been tagged as “one of the masterminds” in the Degamo slaying.

He has not returned to the country despite the expiration of his travel authority last March 9 and has been issued another 60-day suspension.

Teves has denied all the allegations against him.

Aside from the filing of criminal complaints against Teves, the DoJ had moved to classify Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terror Law, and also requested for the cancellation of his passport to force him to return to the Philippines.

Remulla said the assets of Teves would be frozen by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) if he is categorized as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

Coupled with the cancellation of his passport, Teves would become an illegal alien and would be the subject of an immediate deportation unless granted an asylum by another foreign country where he stays. — William B. Depasupil

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