The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., along with 12 others, as "terrorists" for the alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.
In Resolution No. 43 dated July 26, the ATC tagged Teves and his armed group as terrorists after finding “probable cause” for alleged violations of some provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
The copy of the ATC resolution, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, was released to the media on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Bersamin is the chairperson of the council.
The resolution identified the alleged members of “Teves Terrorist Group” as follows:
-Pryde Henry A. Teves
-Winrich B. Isturis
-John Louie Gonyon
-Dahniel Lora
- Eulogio Gonyon, Jr.
-Tomasino Aledro
-Nigel Electona
-Jomarie Catubay
-Hannah Mae Sumero Oray
-Marvin H. Miranda
-Rogelio C. Antipolo
-Rommel Pattaguan
Pryde Henry is the brother of the suspended congressman, who is implicated as mastermind behind the assasination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. They have denied involvement in the killings in the province.
The resolution tagged Teves’ brother as terrorist for allegedly providing material support to his armed group.
It also said the management of operational funds for the killings was tasked to Oray, while Miranda served as the organizer and recruiter of personnel for attacks.
According to the ATC, such designations were formalized following a “thorough examination” of “compelling evidence and factual incidents.”
The resolution said Teves and his group allegedly violated the Anti-Terrorism Act, including “offenses related to committing terrorism, planning, training, preparing, and facilitating terrorist acts, recruitment and membership in a terrorist organization, as well as providing materials support to terrorists."
“A closer evaluation of these killings and harassments shows an unmistakable pattern of a rather organized and orchestrated action. These killings and harassments are meticulously and deliberately planned and executed for the purpose of intimidating the residents of Negros Oriental as well as to create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear,” the council said.
“These acts are also designed to influence by intimidation the local population and government of Negros Oriental to seriously undermine public safety and to ensure that Cong. Teves, Jr. and his group could continue and expand their reign of terror in the guise of political leadership,” it added.