Criminal complaints in the March 4, 2023 killings of 10 persons, one of them Negros Oriental Gov. Roel R. Degamo, were filed on Wednesday, May 17, against the province’s 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed the complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) which is expected to summon Teves and require him to file his counter-affidavit. Copies of the complaints were not available as of posting. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said that Teves was charged with multiple counts of murder, multiple counts of frustrated murder, and multiple counts of attempted murder. Murder is a non-bailable offense. NBI Director Medardo G. de Lemos led the filing of the complaints against Teves. “I was told by Director De lemos that they were coming to file the complaint and I think the panel of prosecutors was convened to receive the complaints,” Remulla said. He said there are no other respondents in the complaints. “Ang alam ko siya muna rito sa complaint na ‘to (What I know is Teves is the only respondent in the complaint that was filed) because the investigation is still ongoing for other cases and other suspects and other roles and crimes,” he explained. He said that once the summons are issued to Teves’ last known address, the suspended legislator “has to personally appear to swear by the contents of his counter-affidavit.” “He has to come home or they will file the case in court and a warrant will be issued in absentia (in his absence),” Remulla warned. If a warrant of arrest is issued and Teves is not arrested or refused to surrender, then he becomes a fugitive from justice, he said. “Marami mawawala sa kanya kung fugitive siya (He will lose a lot of things if he becomes a fugitive. Cancellation of passport is one. So, he will have a hard time moving around,” he explained. At the same time, Remulla stood pat on his disclosoure that Teves was to return to the Philippines on Wednesday, May 17. Teves has rebutted Remulla’s disclosure on the former’s return. “Ang alam kasi namin ticketed na siya (What we know is Teves secured tickets). We have sources who tell us his movements),” Remiulla said. He stressed that Teves has to return to the country to face the charges against him. “Flight is an indication of guilt by any language, by any jurisdiction, in any legal system. It is an indication of guilt,” he emphasized. Teves has been tagged as “one of the masterminds” in the Degamo slaying. He has not returned to the country despite the expiration of his travel authority last March 9.  He has denied all the allegations against him.