Cheyenne Suarez

No special treatment for Teves in jail, lawyer says

Article (news)

Ched Rick Gatchalian

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748662104813Screenshot 2025-05-31 112809.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. faces media after being deported from Timor-Leste. ABS-CBN News/File "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. faces media after being deported from Timor-Leste. <em>ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><div> </div><p>MANILA —  Expelled lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will only be alone in a cell for a short time and will not receive any special treatment at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City as he faces his murder cases, his lawyer clarified Saturday.</p><p>National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago earlier said Teves will have a solo room to &quot;acclimate him in being a detainee.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/30/teves-faces-media-after-deportation-1049">Teves transferred to Bilibid</a></div><p>In a message to media, Teves lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said his client has &quot;agreed&quot; to follow all rules for detainees, &quot;including sharing of cells.&quot;</p><p>Topacio said that this is meant to prevent criticism of Santiago, whom he said he holds in the highest regard.</p><p>Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez also vowed there would be no special treatment for Teves Jr., after he sought for a speedy trial despite hiding in Timor Leste for around two years.</p><p>In a Saturday news forum, Vasquez said everybody is treated equal before the eyes of the law.</p><p>&quot;Hindi siya bibigyan ng special treatment na uunahin yan. Kasi kahit may ibang pobrang dedeliver din dyan. Parehas naman silang deprived of liberty ayon sa docket ng ating korte at ayon sa docket ng ating Constitution,” Vasquez said.</p><p>The justice official assured Teves he would also be given all rights of the accused and due process, noting that the country’s judicial system is at work and functioning.</p><p>After his deportation on Thursday, May 29, from Timor-Leste, Teves was transported in a bulletproof vehicle to the NBI detention facility inside Bilibid.</p><p>He wore a bulletproof vest and kevlar helmet during transport.</p><p>Santiago said Teves would be transferred to a Bureau of Corrections facility.</p><p>&quot;Mr. Teves is in a ten-square meter cell with a bunk bed and another inmate, with a common toilet bowl and a small electric fan, the same as any other cell,&quot; Topacio said.</p><p>Teves, who faces multiple murder case as the alleged mastermind in the killing of ex-Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others, said he hopes for a speedy trial.</p><p>Teves also faces an illegal possession of firearms and explosives case and one for alleged terrorist financing.</p><p>He has consistently maintained his innocence, saying he went to Timor-Leste out of fear for his own safety.</p><p>The Department of Justice has assured the government of Timor-Leste that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/30/remulla-assures-timor-leste-conditions-on-teves-deportation-will-be-met-1339">the conditions set on Teves&#x27; deportation will be followed</a>.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oDroOS5K9ng?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will only spend alone in a cell for a short time and won't receive any special treatment at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, his lawyer clarified Saturday.</p>

Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will only spend alone in a cell for a short time and won't receive any special treatment at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, his lawyer clarified Saturday.

No special treatment in Bilibid for Teves, lawyer says

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No special treatment in Bilibid for Teves, lawyer says

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 31, 2025 12:19 PM PHT

|

Updated May 31, 2025 02:47 PM PHT

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ANC Promo

Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Timor-Leste

Roel Degamo

Teves

New Bilibid Prison

National Bureau of Investigation

NBI

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