Statement of Atty. Ferdinand S. Topacio, lead counsel of Rep. Arnolfo A. Teves, on reports of attempts to have Rep. Teves committed to another detention center

We have received reliable reports that there are certain persons who are exerting tremendous efforts to convince the courts handling the cases of Rep. Arnolfo Teves, to issue commitment orders mandating his detention in a place other than Building 14, a detention facility under the control of the National Bureau of Investigation, where he is currently being held. It must be recalled that Mr. Teves is incarcerated in the said place because of the agreement between the government of Timor Leste and the Philippine government, as represented by the Department of Justice (DOJ), for the latter to make binding assurances that Mr. Teves will be held in an institution that is compliant with international standards for purposes of safeguarding him from physical danger, torture, cruel and degrading punishment, among others. These were the same concerns expressed by the Timor Leste Tribunal de Recursos in its decision refusing extradition, and which were incorporated by reference in the said Certificate of Handover. The said agreement was signed by an agent of the Department of Justice.

If true, this is an alarming development because the imprisonment of Mr. Teves in a place other than Building 14 would expose him to the very real threat of physical harm, which is precisely the reason why it was the DOJ who formed a team to retrieve Rep. Teves from Timor Leste, and placed him upon arrival in the Philippines, in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), whose Director himself travelled to Timor Leste. The fact that it was the DOJ who repatriated Mr. Teves – and not any other agency – coupled by solid assurances by the NBI Director, will lead to no other conclusion than that it is the DOJ and the agencies under it, that would be responsible for the safety of Mr. Teves. To allow Mr. Teves to be held in any other place would directly violate the terms and conditions under which Mr. Teves was turned-over to the Philippine government, and place him in grave peril. Needless to say, we have full trust and confidence in the NBI under Dir. Jaime Santiago to keep Mr. Teves free from any form of harm while under NBI custody.

We are deeply apprehensive that efforts to bring Rep. Teves anywhere other than Building 14 is one step in a plot by misguide elements to cause him injuries or worse. We are confident, however, that given the circumstances, the courts will act with the utmost independence and will not allow themselves to be swayed by shady individuals with dubious motives.