PNP's detention facility for high-profile personalities ready to accommodate Teves, Acorda says
The Custodial Center inside the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at Camp Crame in Quezon City is ready to accommodate former congressman Arnolfo Teves once he is extradited to the country after his arrest in Timor Leste.
And once it was decided that Teves would be under police custody, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said he would tap the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to secure him on his way to Camp Crame.
“If the PNP would be tasked, definitely (we are ready) but it will be up to the court to decide on the matter,” said Acorda when asked if the Custodial Center could be used as a detention facility for Teves.
Over the years, the Custodial Center is the PNP’s detention facility for high-profile personalities facing criminal charges, particularly non-bailable offenses.
Acorda, however, said that the National Bureau of Investigation could also take custody of Teves.
Teves was among those charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder in connection with the daring attack in Pamplona town on march 4 last year that left Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo dead.
On Sept. 5 last year, a regional trial court (RTC) issued an arrest order against Teves and his co-accused.
But Teves left the country even before the filing of charges in connection with the killing and the series of raids in their properties where a cache of firearms were seized—the reason why the arrest warrant was not enforced.
On March 21, was arrested in the capital City of Dili while playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar.
The Department of Justice said Teves’s arrest was made possible in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, including the International Criminal Police Organization's (Interpol) National Central Bureau (NCB) in Dili.
The NBI said its agents will lead the transportation of Teves back to the Philippines.