Expelled Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. was arraigned Thursday morning, June 5 before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12 on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, one of several serious criminal cases he is currently facing cross multiple courts.
Teves arrived at the court at around 7:00 AM under heavy security, escorted by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from his detention facility.
He was escorted by heavily armed operatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from the detention facility.
The arraignment presided over by Judge Renato Enciso, began promptly at 8:30 AM.
Teves pleaded 'not guilty' to charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, a case handled by Branch 12, according to the report of RH Boy Gonzales in Damdaming Bayan.
According to court records, Teves is facing:
- 10 counts of murder
- 12 counts of frustrated murder
- 4 counts of attempted murder (some of which are being handled by Manila RTC Branch 51)
- 1 count of murder in a separate case in Branch 12
- Illegal possession of firearms and explosives
- Terrorism-related charges before Branch 77 of the Quezon City RTC
Teves is accused of masterminding the assassination of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in March 4, 2023.
The Manila RTC earlier denied a motion filed by Teves' legal team to conduct the arraignment via Zoom, citing alleged security concerns raised by his counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that the arraignment was set for 8:30 AM, with Teves under strict escort.
He also confirmed that while the court has ordered Teves' transfer to the Manila City Jail, the move cannot proceed yet due to his pending cases in other jurisdictions. Santiago said the court must finalize all related decisions before the transfer can be enforced.
Several of Teves' cases are non-bailable, underscoring the serious nature of the accusations against the former lawmaker.
As of 9:30 AM, no new information was available regarding Teves’ transfer or future detention arrangements.
