By Gabriela Baron
The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) designated on Tuesday, Aug. 1, Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnie Teves Jr. and 12 others as terrorists.
His brother, Pryde Henry Teves was also tagged as a terrorist, including 11 others who are allegedly members of the “Teves Terrorist Group.”
The following also identified as terrorist individuals:
- Marvin H. Miranda
- Rogelio C. Antipolo
- Rommel Pattaguan
- Winrich B. Isturis
- John Louie Gonyon
- Dahniel Lara
- Eulogio Gonyon Jr.
- Tomasino Aledro
- Nigel Electona
- Jomarie Catubay
- Hannah Mae Sumero Oray
The Resolution was approved on July 16 and was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Teves is allegedly the mastermind behind the Pamplona Massacre or the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others.
The suspended lawmaker remains overseas.
‘No surprise’
In a separate statement, the camp of Teves said they are no longer surprised by ATC’s decision.
“Since Day One of the Degamo killing, the government has mobilized all the resources at its disposal–starting with immediately tagging Mr. Teves as the mastermind thereof without investigation, conducting illegal searches on his properties, laying siege to his powers and prerogatives as member of the House, embarking on a massive media campaign to discredit him and prejudice the minds of the public against him, among others–all in an obsessive attempt to blame him for a crime at the expense of his Constitutional rights,” Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, lead legal counsel of Teves, said.
“The agencies of government, having eggs on their faces due to the recantation of all key witnesses, lack of evidence against Rep. Teves, the public backlash against his obvious persecution, and the embarrassing failure of the authorities in bullying him into returning to the country in spite of grave and serious threats to his life, has expectedly weaponized the Anti-Terror Act by using it for the purpose for which it was not designed. One only has to read the reasoned decision of the Supreme Court on this matter to know this to be true,” Topacio added.
Topacio called the decision “a sad day for the Rule of Law.” – cf
