Latest news with #Topacio
The Star
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Detained ex-Philippine rep Arnolfo Teves in hospital with stomach pain
Former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr.'s mugshot taken during processing at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Pasay City on May 30, 2025. — NBI MANILA: Detained former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep Arnolfo Teves was hospitalised on (June 17) morning after experiencing stomach pains, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio confirmed to 'Yes, confirmed,' Topacio said in a Viber message. When asked about Teves' condition, Topacio described the expelled lawmaker as looking 'like crap right now, with severe stomach pains.' In another message to reporters, Topacio said that no medical intervention worked for Teves as he started showing symptoms of stomach pain. 'Our client was buckling over due to pain, and according to him, he was practically on his knees, requesting to be brought to a hospital for treatment, but BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) personnel could not grant said request due to protocol,' he added. In a separate statement, the BJMP stated that Teves was brought to a public hospital around 6am at the advice of the BJMP's roving physician. The BJMP also said that Teves' symptoms started on Monday at 7pm, and he was given the necessary medications and treatment. 'Symptoms worsened until early the morning the following day, and the BJMP Physician advised the Warden of Metro Manila District Jail-Annex 2 to bring the said PDL [person deprived of liberty] to the nearest government hospital,' the BJMP said. Teves returned to the Philippines on May 29 after being deported from Timor-Leste. He had been hiding for two years after being tagged as the alleged mastermind behind the Pamplona massacre. He is currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
28-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Teves camp files habeas corpus plea following arrest in Timor-Leste
The camp of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. has filed a habeas corpus petition following his arrest in Timor-Leste, his lawyer in the Philippines said Wednesday. Teves' legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said Immigration police arrested Teves on Tuesday evening without a warrant. He said the former lawmaker is currently detained at the Ministry of Interior in Timor-Leste. "Kung iga-grant po 'yung writ, dadalhin po sa hukuman si Ginoong Teves at doon po ay kailangang makumbinsi ng mga authorities na umaresto kay Ginoong Teves kung bakit siya inaresto… at kung siya ay ide-deport, what will be the basis for his deportation," he said in an online briefing. (If the writ is granted, Mr. Teves will be brought to court. Authorities who arrested him will need to convince the court why he was arrested… and if he is to be deported, they should explain the basis for his deportation.) Teves was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. The former lawmaker was out of the country at the time of the incident and has not returned since. He has applied for asylum in Timor-Leste. Topacio stressed that the Philippine government's extradition request was already denied in March. "The basis for the denial are three. Number one, that there is great danger to his life and him. Number two, that he may be forced to undergo torture and other inhuman punishment. And number three, maaaring mag-undergo siya ng mga proceedings na maaaring magdulot ng injustice sa kanya,' he said. (The basis for the denial are three. Number one, that there is great danger to his life and safety. Number two, that he may be forced to undergo torture and other inhuman punishment. And number three, he may undergo proceedings that could result in injustice against him.) Though they are seeking to prevent his return to the country, Topacio said the Teves camp is prepared in case his client is brought back to the Philippines. "We have always been prepared. What will happen if he is repatriated is that the courts where there are pending charges against him will acquire jurisdiction over him, and then we will defend him as his defense attorneys to the best of our ability," Topacio said. "And we are confident that with the recantations of all the witnesses against him that the government has a very weak case. So we are ready. Anytime," he added. Teves and others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
