Pryde Teves faces murder raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) yesterday filed a multiple murder complaint “for case buildup“ against former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves and nine others.

The complaint stemmed from the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and 10 others in March 2023 during a distribution of government aid in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

CIDG chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the complaint was submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for case buildup.

He noted that the submission of the complaint is required under DOJ Department Circular 20, which institutionalizes the policy on “pro-active involvement of prosecutors in case buildup.”

Torre said they filed the complaint after “uncovering new evidence.”

He did not elaborate as the DOJ would still review the complaint, but mentioned that the new evidence includes the “recovery of explosives and firearms.”

As it is already the election season, Torre denied that the complaint is political, noting that it would not even affect Teves’ eligibility to run for an elective post in the province.

The Teves camp “has the chance to answer it,” Torre said.

In June 2024, the PNP-CIDG arrested Teves over allegations of financing terrorism.

He posted bail of P600,000.

Teves is the brother of former Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., who was expelled from the House of Representatives due to a prolonged absence.

Arnolfo Teves is considered as the mastermind in the assassination of Degamo. He has been seeking asylum in Timor Leste.