A Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered the arrest of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. over the murder charges he is facing in relation to the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
In the e-warrant of arrest dated and released on September 5, Manila RTC Branch 51 presiding judge Merianth Pacita Zuraek said the court found "probable cause" for the issuance of warrant against Teves Jr.
Zuraek said the court did not recommend any bail post for the former Congressman.
Aside from Teves, the court also ordered the arrest of the following individuals:
- Angelo Palagtiw "Angelou" Valiente
- One alias, sister of Angelo Palagtiw
- Capt. Lloyd Cruz Garcia II
- Nigel Electona, also known as "Najel", "Naijel"
The Manila RTC presiding judge said the court likewise directed the transfer of Electona from the custody of Manila City Jail to Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City.
The next pre-trial conference on the case is set at 1:30 in the afternoon on October 4.
In May, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges against Teves, who is still at large.
In July, he filed a motion asking the court to dismiss the aforementioned complaints.
The former Congressman's legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio earlier argued that the court should dismiss the murder complaints against Teves since several suspects had already retracted their previous testimonies.
