TJ Manotoc

Teves' lawyer cried foul over ‘kidnapping’ claims 

Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. gives a statement regarding alleged threats his camp discovered back in January.

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

<div><br/></div><p>Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnulfo Teves Jr. arrived in the Philippines on Thursday night, May 29.</p><div><br/></div><p>His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, was at Villamor Airbase, awaiting the military plane carrying the former lawmaker.</p><div><br/></div><p>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.</p><div><br/></div><p>Atty. Topacio affirmed his legal team’s readiness for defense.</p><div><br/></div><p>&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.</p><div><br/></div><p>Topacio stated that the preparations for Teves&#x27; case continued even while he was in Timor-Leste, awaiting the outcome of extradition requests.</p><div><br/></div><p>He added that the defense is bolstered by retractions from witnesses who now claim they were coerced into testifying against Teves. </p><div><br/></div><p>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.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Kahit sinong ina eh mababasag po ang puso at yun nga po ang kanyang hinaing bakit daw ginaganon ang anak,” Topacio said.</p><div><br/></div><p>Topacio described the treatment as part of a “pattern of harassment and persecution” by the current administration against the Teves family and political opponents.</p><div><br/></div><p>Topacio also insisted on Teves’ constitutional right to legal counsel upon his arrival in Philippine territory. However, he expressed frustration, stating that his team was not provided with information regarding the flight carrying his client, despite repeated attempts to contact the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Bureau of Immigration (BI). </p><div><br/></div><p>&quot;Nasa batas na the moment he lands in Philippine territory ay entitled siya sa counsel,” Topacio explained.</p><div><br/></div><p>Teves’ lawyer further revealed that 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. </p><div><br/></div><p>Topacio suggested that the administration’s actions are a diversionary tactic aimed at distracting the public from its perceived failures and low approval ratings by parading “trophies” like Teves’ arrest. </p><div><br/></div><p>He alluded to the possibility of other political figures being targeted next, including Atty. Harry Roque, to overshadow issues such as high self-rated hunger and poverty and ill-conceived public projects.</p>

<p>Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr. returned to the Philippines on May 29 to face multiple murder charges. His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, decried the government’s handling of his return as unjust and politically motivated, citing rights violations and witness coercion.</p>

Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves Jr. returned to the Philippines on May 29 to face multiple murder charges. His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, decried the government’s handling of his return as unjust and politically motivated, citing rights violations and witness coercion.