Ex-Rep. Arnie Teves acquitted of murder

CEBU, Philippines — Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. has been acquitted of the 2019 murder of former provincial board member Miguel Lopez Dungog after a Manila court granted his demurrer to evidence.

In an order dated January 5, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 15 in Manila granted the motion for demurrer filed by Teves, along with his co-accused Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili, according to a document released to reporters by Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion seeking the dismissal of a criminal case on the ground that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction. When granted, it results in the dismissal of the charges and is tantamount to an acquittal.

The court ordered the immediate release of Cuadra and Pinili from the Manila City Jail, as well as Teves from his detention facility in Taguig, unless they are being held for other lawful causes.

In a statement, Topacio described the ruling as a victory against what he called “political persecution.”

“The acquittal of former Congressman Arnolfo Teves of the crime of murder by the Regional Trial Court, Branch 15 of Manila is a vivid demonstration that the cases filed against Mr. Teves are nothing but harassment suits meant to persecute a political opponent,” Topacio said.

The case arose from the March 25, 2019, killing of Dungog, who was shot dead outside a hospital in Dumaguete City. Charges were filed against Teves and his alleged cohorts after Gemuel Hobro, a self-confessed gunman, told authorities that Teves had masterminded the assassination and allegedly provided P50,000 to cover the group’s expenses.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, said it has yet to receive an official copy of the court order granting the acquittal.

DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic “Polo” Martinez clarified that even if Teves was acquitted in the Dungog case, he would not be released from detention due to other pending criminal cases.

“However, even assuming that Teves was acquitted in the Dungog case, he will not be released because he remains lawfully detained by virtue of his other pending criminal cases,” Martinez said in a message to reporters.

“These include multiple murder charges currently pending before the Regional Trial Courts of Manila, including high-profile cases related to the assassination of the late Governor Roel Degamo,” he added.

Teves is facing a string of criminal cases linked to killings in Negros Oriental, including allegations that he orchestrated the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo. The cases filed against him include: 10 counts of murder before Manila RTC Branch 51; 13 counts of frustrated murder before Manila RTC Branch 51; Four counts of attempted murder before Manila RTC Branch 51; One count of murder before Manila RTC Branch 12; One count of murder before Bayawan RTC Branch 63; Illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12; Violation of the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act before Quezon City RTC Branch 77.

The Anti-Terrorism Council has also designated Teves as a terrorist, resulting in the freezing of his assets. — Philstar.com (FREEMAN)