Geline Salac

Teves in NBI custody after booking procedures, medical exam

Article (news)

BEA TEVES

BEA TEVES 2

BEA TEVES 3

TEVES GETS BOOKED

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Pasay City after his arrival from Timor Leste late Thursday.His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio confirmed early Friday morning, May 30, that their discussions with NBI officials, particularly Director Jaime Santiago, went well and that Teves’ rights as an accused person were given.“Pinayagan makausap po namin ng matagal ang aming kliyente,” Topacio stated and expressed gratitude to Director Santiago, whom he lauded as “one of the few shining lights in the Marcos administration.”<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G0QrAXXKMMs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Teves will temporarily remain at the NBI headquarters for “humanitarian reasons,” according to Topacio, acknowledging the former congressman’s fatigue from his journey.Topacio stated that Teves will be transferred to Building 14 of the Bilibid detention facility in Muntinlupa City early Friday.Topacio also expressed “full trust and confidence” in Director Santiago, noting that the NBI ensured Teves’ basic necessities and safety.Before his detention, Teves underwent standard booking procedures at the NBI, including fingerprinting, hand printing, and mugshots. He also received a medical assessment from an NBI doctor, confirming he was given appropriate attention.Teves faces multiple serious charges, including murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder, stemming from the 2023 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.<div>TEVES FELT ‘KIDNAPPED’</div>Topacio said his legal team is ready to defend the former lawmaker.&quot;As a seasoned lawyer, we always prepare for any contingency. So, habang nandoon [in Timor-Leste] siya [Teves], inisip na rin namin na sa mga panahon na hindi namin alam ang kahihinatnan ng request for extradition, naghanda na kami. Hindi kami tumigil,” he said.Preparations for Teves&#x27; case continued even while he was in Timor-Leste, awaiting the outcome of extradition requests, Topacio said.He said the defense is bolstered by retractions from witnesses who now claim they were coerced into testifying against Teves.According to Topacio, the former lawmaker’s mother was distressed upon learning of her son’s deportation, particularly after seeing him handcuffed and his feet shackled.“Kahit sinong ina eh mababasag po ang puso at yun nga po ang kanyang hinaing bakit daw ginaganon ang anak,” he said.He described the treatment as part of a “pattern of harassment and persecution” by the current administration against the Teves family and political opponents.He added his client felt “kidnapped” and had “no choice” but to return to the Philippines, despite a Timor-Leste court granting a writ of habeas corpus and citing potential risks to his life and subjection to cruel and inhumane punishment if extradited.He accused the administration of using the arrest as a diversionary tactic to distract the public from its perceived failures and low approval ratings.Looking ahead, Teves’ legal team is focused on the next steps in the judicial process. He explained that since the warrant for Teves’ arrest was previously unserved, the court will now be informed of his apprehension. This will be followed by an arraignment, and subsequently, the trial.Topacio also revealed that Teves is in “high spirits” and asserted that his client is “confident because he’s truly innocent and believes that he will be exonerated.”

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Pasay City after his arrival from Timor Leste late Thursday.

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Pasay City after his arrival from Timor Leste late Thursday.