The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has temporarily halted the transfer of detained former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Manila City Jail despite a court order directing the move.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago announced on Wednesday that a Manila court had already issued a commitment order for Teves to be detained at the city jail. However, he said the transfer has been paused due to the involvement of multiple courts handling separate criminal cases against the former lawmaker.

“One court in Manila has already issued a commitment order, directing us to commit the person of Congressman Teves to the Manila City Jail,” Santiago said during a press briefing at NBI headquarters.

But Santiago raised concerns about logistical and jurisdictional coordination, noting that other courts, including those in Manila and outside the capital, are simultaneously processing separate charges filed against Teves.

“There’s a court order we received from one RTC branch in Manila, but we’re aware that other branches are also handling different cases. One might be in Bicutan, another in a separate Manila court,” Santiago explained in Filipino. “So I instructed our warden to hold off on the transfer until we have a clearer picture of where jurisdiction should lie.”

Teves, who is currently detained at the NBI’s facility in the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa City, is facing a long list of criminal charges, including multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.

According to the NBI, Teves faces 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before Branch 51 of the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC). He is also facing separate murder charges before Manila RTC Branches 12 and 15, as well as the Bayawan RTC Branch 63. In addition, he is charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12, and with financing terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Law before Quezon City RTC Branch 77.

In response to a query from DAILY TRIBUNE regarding court action related to Teves’ arraignment, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, legal counsel for Teves, clarified, “We did not file. The judge scheduled it.” The arraignment is set on Thursday.

Santiago also revealed that Teves’ legal team has filed a motion to consolidate the cases, a move that could influence how and where the detained former congressman will ultimately be committed.

The Department of Justice and the Anti-Terrorism Council earlier declared Teves a terrorist for his alleged involvement in the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and multiple other killings. Teves has repeatedly denied the allegations and has been fighting extradition efforts after months of hiding abroad.

As of this time, no final decision has been made regarding which detention facility will have jurisdiction over Teves, pending the outcome of the consolidation motion and the guidance of the involved courts.