Manila RTC sets online arraignment of Teves on June 10 via video conferencing -- NBI
The scheduled arraignment by the Manila regional trial court (RTC) of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. on Tuesday, June 10, will be done online through video conferencing, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Friday, June 6.
NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago told journalists: “Yun pong scheduled hearing ni Cong. Teves sa June 10, 2025 2p.m. at RTC Branch 51 ay VCH (via Zoom) (the scheduled hearing of Teves on June 10 at Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 will be a video conferencing hearing using the Zoom app).”
Teves is set for arraignment by RTC Branch 51 on 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and five counts of attempted murder.
The cases stemmed from the March 4, 2023 killings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where Gov. Roel Degamo and nine persons died, and 18 others injured, 13 of them seriously wounded.
Teves, who had been declared a terrorist, was named as the alleged mastermind in the killings.
Last Thursday, June 5, Teves was arraigned before Manila RTC Branch 12 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
When Teves refused to enter a plea, “the Presiding Judge entered a not guilty plea on behalf of accused Teves with regard to the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives,” the NBI said.
“Teves remains in the custody at the NBI detention facility within the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City,” it also said.
Earlier, Director Santiago had said that the NBI will await court orders on the transfer of Teves’ detention to the Manila City jail.
Aside from alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives, Teves has also a case for murder before the Manila RTC Branch 12.
Other charges lodged against Teves include one count of murder each before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan City RTC Branch 63 and two counts of violations of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before Quezon City RTC Branch 77.