Embattled 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has dared the Department of Justice to present proof of his guilt, instead of making statements accusing him as the mastermind of the March 4 killings, which claimed the lives of Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.
In a Zoom interview with media networks like ABS-CBN and GMA, Teves lamented that he has been judged as guilty in the public eye because of trial by publicity.
“In the Senate hearing, they gave weight to hear-say information. They even made side comments against me based on hear-say,” he said.
“It would have been easy for them to ask the person complaining — about land I allegedly grabbed — to produce her land title. They also listened to a resource person who turns out to be a drug addict,” Teves added
When asked if he, indeed, gave instructions through video messaging to at least four of the suspects in the Degamo killing, Teves said, “It’s easy to accuse. Why don’t they show the video? The burden of proof lies on the accuser.”
Teves, who would still not divulge his whereabouts because of concerns over his and his family’s safety, said he will come home when he sees signs of fairness.
“I might consider it. They are reviewing old cases but they did not review the case of the son of [Justice Sec.] Boying Remulla who was suddenly cleared of drug raps,” he lamented.
Teves again reiterated that he has nothing to do with the Degamo murder, saying he has nothing to gain out of it.
His counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, also dared the DOJ to file the case so they could begin defending themselves. “They shouldn’t be speaking if they’re not sure because there are statements like ‘I think, ‘I’m not sure’, ‘It’s possible’.”
“Complete the case build-up so the case can be heard by the prosecutor,” Topacio said.
Earlier, Justice Secretary Remulla named Teves as the “Boss Idol” “Big Boss” “Kalbo” referred to by Teves’ former bodyguard, the captured suspect Marvin Miranda, who is said to have played a major role in recruiting the killers, and supplying their firearms.
The DOJ Chief also said it is “reasonable” to say that Teves paid for the firearms used in the assassination.
“They’re being considered as masterminds, but I don’t know yet. I have to get into the panel of prosecutors but the way it’s going, that is the direction it’s going,” Remulla said.
The National Bureau of Investigation said Miranda was arrested on March 31 in Mayabay, Barbasa in Antique by a composite team of their own personnel, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The NBI said their investigation revealed that Miranda managed to escape from Negros Oriental to Antique province from March 23 until he was arrested eight days later.
So far, authorities have accounted for 12 suspects in the March 4 Pamplona carnage. Of these, 11 are under the custody of the NBI, while one died in a shootout.
Remulla said the case is now “99 percent solved”.
No complaint has yet been filed against Congressman Teves and his brother, former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, in connection with the discovery of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in their compound in the southern town of Sta. Catalina.
