Negros Governor and 5 others assassinated

[Ram1957]

FAST FACTS: Who is Arnolfo Teves Jr.

MANILA — Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is fighting allegations of involvement in the assassination of his political rival Governor Roel Degamo. This comes after one of the suspects implicated Teves in the killing.

Last month, the lawmaker's brother, Pryde Henry Teves, was unseated by Degamo after the Supreme Court declared him the rightful winner of the contest for the Negros Oriental governorship. 

On Monday, Rep. Teves said he received information that he would be pinned down for Degamo's assassination. He said he and his clan had nothing to do with the killing. 

On Tuesday the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed murder complaints against the lawmaker and several others for the death of three people in 2019.

On Friday, police raided Teves’ houses in Negros Oriental in search of allegedly unlicensed firearms. 

Here are some fast facts about Teves:

- Arnolfo “Arnie” Alipit Teves Jr., 51, was born in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental. In 2019, Teves won a seat in the House of Representatives for the 3rd district of Negros Oriental. He was re-elected in the 2022 elections.

- In 2018, then Deputy Speaker Speaker LRay Villafuerte asked Teves to explain his alleged link to illegal e-gambling and an online sabong platform. 

That same year, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member Sandra Cam and Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves figured in a heated discussion after she accused him of controlling gambling operations in his province. 

Teves challenged Cam to resign if she failed to support her allegations with documentary evidence. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/03/10/23/who-is-arnolfo-teves-jr

[Mike J]

Sounding worse all the time. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741442/5-out-of-6-pnp-personnel-guarding-degamo-were-absent-during-his-killing-sen-ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joseph Victor “JV”  Ejercito on Saturday said that five out of the six Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel assigned to safeguard Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on the day of his death did not report for duty.

In a Twitter post, the senator said that the five who did not report for duty should be probed. However, he did not elaborate as to who these are or where he got the information.

“[Five] out of [six] PNP personnel assigned to Gov. Roel Degamo did not report on the day he was assassinated. These 5 should be investigated for conspiring with the mastermind,” said Ejercito.

“Hindi ito nagkataon,” said Ejercito. (This is not a coincidence.)

When asked about this during a press conference, PNP Spokesperson Jean Fajardo said that Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos has already told the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP to account for the security personnel assigned to Degamo, as the latter was not the only agency providing security.

“Kasama po ‘yan sa ineembistigahan natin sa nareceive po doon nating information na yung mga supposedly pong nagpo-provide ng security kay Governor Degamo during the day of the incident ay supposedly hindi po nag-report for duty,” said Fajardo.

(We have included in the investigation the information that those who were meant to provide security for Governor Degamo during the day of the incident did not report for duty.)

Abalos will head Special Task Force (STF) Degamo in order to investigate the governor’s death. The group will be co-chaired by Secretary of Justice Crispin Remulla and Secretary of National Defense Carlito Galvez Jr.

“Through the creation of the task force, the military and other law enforcement agencies will augment the PNP to keep the peace and order within the province. While the [Special Investigation Task Group] Degamo itself is tasked to investigate and prepare airtight cases for purposes of criminal prosecution against all personalities involved in the gruesome attack,” said the PNP Public Information Office.

 

 

[BrettGC]

47 minutes ago, Mike J said:

Sounding worse all the time. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741442/5-out-of-6-pnp-personnel-guarding-degamo-were-absent-during-his-killing-sen-ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joseph Victor “JV”  Ejercito on Saturday said that five out of the six Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel assigned to safeguard Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on the day of his death did not report for duty.

In a Twitter post, the senator said that the five who did not report for duty should be probed. However, he did not elaborate as to who these are or where he got the information.

“[Five] out of [six] PNP personnel assigned to Gov. Roel Degamo did not report on the day he was assassinated. These 5 should be investigated for conspiring with the mastermind,” said Ejercito.

“Hindi ito nagkataon,” said Ejercito. (This is not a coincidence.)

When asked about this during a press conference, PNP Spokesperson Jean Fajardo said that Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos has already told the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP to account for the security personnel assigned to Degamo, as the latter was not the only agency providing security.

“Kasama po ‘yan sa ineembistigahan natin sa nareceive po doon nating information na yung mga supposedly pong nagpo-provide ng security kay Governor Degamo during the day of the incident ay supposedly hindi po nag-report for duty,” said Fajardo.

(We have included in the investigation the information that those who were meant to provide security for Governor Degamo during the day of the incident did not report for duty.)

Abalos will head Special Task Force (STF) Degamo in order to investigate the governor’s death. The group will be co-chaired by Secretary of Justice Crispin Remulla and Secretary of National Defense Carlito Galvez Jr.

“Through the creation of the task force, the military and other law enforcement agencies will augment the PNP to keep the peace and order within the province. While the [Special Investigation Task Group] Degamo itself is tasked to investigate and prepare airtight cases for purposes of criminal prosecution against all personalities involved in the gruesome attack,” said the PNP Public Information Office.

 

 

Not the brightest sparks in the fire whoever orchestrated it... More loose ends than wife's knitting efforts.  

[Ram1957]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

Sounding worse all the time. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1741442/5-out-of-6-pnp-personnel-guarding-degamo-were-absent-during-his-killing-sen-ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joseph Victor “JV”  Ejercito on Saturday said that five out of the six Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel assigned to safeguard Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on the day of his death did not report for duty.

In a Twitter post, the senator said that the five who did not report for duty should be probed. However, he did not elaborate as to who these are or where he got the information.

“[Five] out of [six] PNP personnel assigned to Gov. Roel Degamo did not report on the day he was assassinated. These 5 should be investigated for conspiring with the mastermind,” said Ejercito.

“Hindi ito nagkataon,” said Ejercito. (This is not a coincidence.)

When asked about this during a press conference, PNP Spokesperson Jean Fajardo said that Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benhur Abalos has already told the Armed Forces of the Philippines and PNP to account for the security personnel assigned to Degamo, as the latter was not the only agency providing security.

“Kasama po ‘yan sa ineembistigahan natin sa nareceive po doon nating information na yung mga supposedly pong nagpo-provide ng security kay Governor Degamo during the day of the incident ay supposedly hindi po nag-report for duty,” said Fajardo.

(We have included in the investigation the information that those who were meant to provide security for Governor Degamo during the day of the incident did not report for duty.)

Abalos will head Special Task Force (STF) Degamo in order to investigate the governor’s death. The group will be co-chaired by Secretary of Justice Crispin Remulla and Secretary of National Defense Carlito Galvez Jr.

“Through the creation of the task force, the military and other law enforcement agencies will augment the PNP to keep the peace and order within the province. While the [Special Investigation Task Group] Degamo itself is tasked to investigate and prepare airtight cases for purposes of criminal prosecution against all personalities involved in the gruesome attack,” said the PNP Public Information Office.

 

 

And to add to that Mrs Dagamo said that the family didn't increase security when they were informed of the theats.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1738880/fwd-slain-negros-oriental-guvs-wife-regrets-lax-security-despite-numerous-threats

Edited March 12, 2023 by Ram1957

[Possum]

I've always been troubled by the fact that so many police and military resources are used to protect these politicians down to the small city mayor level. To me this  indicates a very fragile democracy. There is even talk, again, of banning private armies. That they've been allowed to exist in the first place is troubling.

[Kingpin]

5 hours ago, Greglm said:

I've always been troubled by the fact that so many police and military resources are used to protect these politicians down to the small city mayor level

Well they get murdered a lot so I understand the need for protection.

Some apparently need better protection:

 

9 hours ago, Mike J said:

five out of the six Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel assigned to safeguard Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on the day of his death did not report for duty.

 

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by Kingpin

[OnMyWay]

I follow a guy on Facebook who is an outspoken critic of Philippines politicians.  I think he might have lived in the U.S. and is Phil/Am, but not sure.  He is very knowledgeable and articulate.  Here is something he had to say about it.

 

Edited March 12, 2023 by OnMyWay

[Kingpin]

Quote

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said Teves may still be in Cambodia.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering seeking the deportation of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is tagged as one of the masterminds in the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo. According to Clavano, deportation is the “most logical process” to bring Teves home since the country has no extradition treaty with Cambodia.  https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/498427/doj-deportation-most-logical-process-to-bring-teves-home

No word on how the Philippines will deport someone from a country that isn't the Philippines.

[mountainside]

Looks like Teves is still in Cambodia, which has no extradition treaty with the Philippines.  It's a matter of diplomacy, per a DOJ spokesman, in order to get him returned.  https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/13/2258512/doj-may-seek-teves-deportation  In the meantime, Teves will make a virtual appearance before Bato's Senate panel, created "in aid of legislation".  https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/04/13/2258614/teves-attending-senate-probe-degamo-killing-remotely-dela-rosa

[Kingpin]

Political clout running out

Quote

 

“The members of this committee unanimously agreed not to allow the virtual presence of Cong. Teves,

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/499069/where-is-teves-senate-panel-rejects-lawmakers-virtual-presence-in-degamo-slay-probe

 

 

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Kingpin