MANILA, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder complaints against suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves on Wednesday, May 17, over the killing of governor Roel Degamo.

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Teves had been the focus of the government’s joint task force investigating the March 4 assassination of the Negros Oriental governor.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the NBI filed murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder complaints against the fugitive congressman.

The 11 other suspects – almost all former members of the military – are in the custody of the NBI.

The filing of the complaint was delayed by two days, after six of the 11 suspects became uncooperative when they were given new lawyers. (READ: Filing of murder complaints vs Teves delayed as suspects get new lawyers)

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Killing a king: Degamo slay stirs Negros Oriental movement to end impunity

Teves, who left the country purportedly for medical reasons prior to the assassination, has yet to return to the Philippines long after the March 20 deadline set by House Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

Separate from the multiple murder complaint, the Department of Justice earlier said it was in the process of proscribing Teves as a terrorist. 

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Remulla previously said the DOJ received intel that Teves was supposed to return home on Wednesday.

Teves told News 5 earlier on Wednesday that this was “fake news.”

The justice secretary said that if Teves refused to return home, it would be an indication of guilt. “Flight is an indication of guilt, by any language, jurisdiction,” Remulla said.

Whether or not Teves returns home, the preliminary investigation will continue, the secretary explained.

Teves cannot file his counter-affidavit in absentia, but he can be charged in absentia.

“He has to come home, or they will file the case in court, and a warrant will be issued in absentia,” Remulla said.

In reaction to the filing of cases against Teves, his lawyer Ferdie Topacio told CNN Philippines, “it’s about time.”

“Kung ang sinasabi ni Secretary Remulla gusto niyang airtight, lalo hindi naging airtight. Kasi, nabalitaan ko nga through various news outlets, meron recantation ang thrust ng ilang sinasabi nilang testigo nung March 31 pa. Sinasabi nila 99.9% solved. Pagdating ng April 4, sabi nila solid daw ang testimonial evidence against Congressman Teves, ayan, may mga recantations pala,” Topacio said, casting doubt on the DOJ’s case build-up. 

(If Secretary Remulla is saying they waited so long to make the case airtight, the more it isn’t airtight. Because we found out through various news outlets, there was a thrust toward recantations, from witnesses they said who testified last March 31. They said it is 99.9% solved. Then came April 4, they said the testimonial evidence against them was solid, but there are recantations.) 

Why it matters

While political killings continue to happen in the Philippines, it’s rare that a sitting governor is assassinated in broad daylight in his own home by what appears to be highly trained gunmen.

Aside from the method in Degamo’s killing, there were nine others killed and 16 injured that day – all civilians. Another civilian died on May 6, bringing the death toll to 10.

Degamo’s killing also brought national attention to the long-running problem of unsolved killings in Negros Island. It has stirred conversations on ending impunity and protecting human rights in Negros Oriental, issues that were rarely talked about in the province.

The Senate committee on dangerous drugs and public order held marathon hearings to investigate the Degamo assassination and other killings in Negros Oriental from April 17 to 19, and from May 10 to 11. They heard dozens of families of victims of unsolved killings, survivors, and cops who were used to be assigned to or currently serving in Negros Oriental.

The Senate investigation concluded on May 11 after five sessions. – Rappler.com