Manila RTC sets arraignment of ex-Rep Teves on June 5 on murder, illegal possession of firearms, explosives
Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. is set to be arraigned on Thursday morning, June 5, before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) on cases of murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime B. Santiago said Teves’ arraignment was set by Branch 12 of the Manila RTC.
Teves had been deported by Timor-Teste where he sought political asylum. He is now detained at the NBI facility at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
Aside from the cases before Branch 12, Teves has also been before another branch of Manila RTC (10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder); before the Quezon City RTC (violation of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012); and before the Bayawan City RTC in Negros Oriental (murder).
The trial courts have issued arrest orders against Teves that led to the cancellation of his passport and his deportation by Timor-Leste.
“Papadalhan ko ng isang batalyon na security para madala doon sa Manila court (I will deploy a battalion of security personnel there at the Manila court),” Santiago said.
He disclosed that Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio has filed a motion to have the arraignment done online through the Zoom app. It was not known immediately if Topacio’s motion has been acted by the trial court.
He also said that Teves will continue to stay at the NBI jail facility at the NBP until a court order is issued transferring the former congressman’s custody at the Manila City jail.
“Susunod naman kami sa kagustuhan ng hukuman (We will follow the orders of the courts),” he assured.