House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. on Friday called on Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves to return to the country and face the murder accusations thrown against him.
Teves, who is currently abroad for medical treatment, is being tagged as the mastermind behind the murder of former Negros Oriental Roel Degamo and the killings perpetuated in Negros back in 2019.
“I advise Rep. Arnie Teves to come back to the country as soon as possible. His authority to travel to the United States is covered only by the period February 28 to March 9, 2023. Clearly, the TA [travel authority] of Rep. Teves has expired effective today,” Romualdez said in a statement.
He added that the lower chamber no longer authorized his travel beyond the period approved.
“Makabubuti rin na umuwi si Cong. Arnie para harapin ang pagkakadawit ng pangalan ng kanilang pamilya sa pagkamatay ni [former] Gov. Roel Degamo. We all want to hear his side of the story,” Romualdez said.
The House Speaker said the national government would not stop until all the suspects will be punished.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Revilla also said that Teves needs to come home and face the murder allegations.
“That is just the most prudent and right thing to do lalo na at isa siyang halal na opisyal. Linisin niya ang kanyang pangalan kung talagang wala siyang kinalaman,” he underlined.
“Flight is an indication of guilt at kung wala siyang kinalaman, hindi niya gugustuhin na ganun ang mangyari,” Revilla added.
Teves first denied that he was involved in Degamo's killing in a video statement posted last Tuesday.
According to the Negros Oriental Congressman, he and his brother Pryde Henry have no motive to order such killing for they would not benefit from this.
