Teves to log into Court

Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnie Teves Jr. will be arraigned via Zoom on 10 June, in connection with the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo and several others in a 2023 attack that rattled the country.

The virtual hearing, scheduled for 2 pm before Manila RTC 51, was confirmed Friday by NBI director Jaime Santiago.

Teves, deported from Timor-Leste last month, has been in the custody of the NBI since.

He faces 10 counts of murder and 17 more tied to those wounded or nearly killed in the same incident.

Last Thursday, he appeared in person before RTC Branch 12 for a separate case involving firearms and explosives. When he declined to enter a plea, the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Tuesday’s remote arraignment breaks from previous in-person proceedings, following concerns over security and logistics.

Teves has denied all charges. He claims the cases are politically driven.

In 2023, the government designated him alongside others under the country’s anti-terrorism law.