Not guilty plea entered for Teves in gun case

MANILA, Philippines —   Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives during his arraignment before a Manila court yesterday.

The plea was entered by Judge Renato Enciso of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 after Teves invoked his right to remain silent.

Wearing a bulletproof vest and a Kevlar helmet, Teves arrived at the court at 7:18 a.m. under tight security by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The arraignment was held alongside the pre-trial proceedings for the explosives case filed against Teves.

The Manila RTC Branch 12 is also handling one of the murder charges Teves is facing.

Despite a commitment order issued for Teves’ transfer to the Manila City Jail, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the former congressman would remain detained at the NBI facility inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa.

Santiago noted that other courts handling separate criminal charges against Teves may issue their own commitment orders.

Teves allegedly masterminded the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023.

Six men in military uniforms opened fire at Degamo who was distributing aid at his residence in Pamplona.

Teves is also facing separate murder cases before Manila RTC Branches 15 and 51 as well as the Bayawan City RTC Branch 63.

He was also charged with violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act before the Quezon City RTC Branch 77.

Teves was deported to the Philippines on May 28 following his arrest by immigration authorities in Timor-Leste. –  Christine Boton