A petition of dismissed Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to overturn the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) to designate him and his armed group as terrorists was denied by the Court of Appeals (CA).

In a 26 November 2025 decision, the CA Ninth Division said there was probable cause to support the terror tag, and that the acts of Teves and his armed group intended to intimidate the people of Negros Oriental and create an atmosphere of fear.

Teves and his brother and several others were declared by the ATC as members of the “Teves Terrorist Group” after they were implicated in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in Pamplona.

The former lawmaker challenged the resolution of the ATC, saying it gravely abused its discretion and unduly expanded the definition of terrorism.

In the decision penned by Associate Justice Selma Palacio Alaras, the ATC did not abuse its discretion in handing down the terrorist tag because this was done “only after a finding of probable cause that was amply supported by the factual circumstances and was in accordance with prevailing law and jurisprudence.”

It said that under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), only a finding of probable cause, not certainty of guilt, is required to designate a person or organization as a terrorist.

The CA likewise cited the Supreme Court ruling that noted that the designation is a counterterrorism measure intended to prevent or suppress terrorism.

Probable cause cited

It said in the decision, “Clearly, a person, group of persons, organization, or association may be designated as a terrorist, which is an extraordinary counterterrorism measure that should be made even before a finding that terrorism was committed. Based on probable cause, Arnolfo Teves was designated as such, considering that the totality of the acts imputed against him constitutes terrorism.

The CA ruled that the ATC had probable cause to designate Teves a terrorist based on sworn statements, CCTV footage, Senate hearings on killings linked to Teves, and additional evidence from law enforcers.

Separate cases filed against Teves over the killing of Degamo and other individuals were cited by the ATC, along with his case for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The sworn statement of a man who confessed that he was part of the group that assassinated three men in 2019 on Teves’ orders was also considered.

The court said it found there is ample evidence on record clearly establishing that, based on the quantum of proof of probable cause, Teves committed acts that, in all likelihood, constitute terrorism that justifies his designation as a terrorist.

Teves’ argument that 10 suspects had recanted statements linking him to the mastermind was deemed doubtful, and it was not the only basis for Teves’ designation, which was based on other evidence.

The ATC’s finding that the acts of Teves and his group sought to intimidate and spread a message of fear among the people in Negros Oriental was affirmed by the CA.

It said several killings in Negros Oriental, orchestrated by Teves, especially the Pamplona Massacre, were meant to influence and intimidate the Philippine government, particularly the local government of Negros Oriental, thereby seriously undermining public safety.