Former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was said to be staying around Southeast Asia, is being protected by local warlords of the country where is hiding, according to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, Remulla said that Teves was traveling back and forth between Timor Leste, Cambodia, and Thailand.
According to the Secretary, under the policies of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines can ask such a country face-to-face, especially if there is a terrorist believed to be staying among them.
"Pero titignan natin kasi ASEAN 'yan eh. Under the ASEAN we can actually ask them more upfront about what's happening in their countries, especially somebody who is a known terrorist being harbored by anybody," Remulla said.
He said that the DOJ is finalizing a letter to the United Nations to call on other countries to help bring Teves back to the Philippines to face his trial.
When asked if the warlords are seen to hinder the arrest, Remulla said they won't be a problem adding that the Philippine authorities are now tracking Teve's more tightly.
Contrarily, on Thursday, Teves' lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio questioned Remulla's claims and urged him to identify the supposed warlords.
"Which 'warlords' is he talking about? Who are these 'warlords'? How do they even qualify as warlords? Mr. Remulla, could you please identify who these warlords are [and] where and why they are considered warlords? Are they in Afghanistan? In Somalia?" he said.
"And please do not hide behind your stock answer of purportedly not dignifying questions from us, which we all know is the way of the weakling. These are legitimate questions," he added.
It can be recalled that the Manila City Regional Trial Court (RTC) recently issued an arrest warrant against Teves and others in connection with the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
The Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and 12 others as terrorists, for allegedly sowing crime and killings in Negros Oriental.
Teves adamantly denied this while he was abroad and insisted that he will not return to the Philippines because there is a threat to his life.
