THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, filed charges over the violation of the firearms law against Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. and two of his sons, in relation to the raids conducted in their residences in the province last week.

In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said charges for the violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition were filed against Teves and his sons Kurt Matthew and Axel.

The CIDG earlier filed similar charges against Teves’ secretary Hannah Mae Sumerano Oray and five others following the raids conducted in five different houses in Basay and Bayawan City Negros Oriental on Friday, March 10 during the service of a search warrant.

Various long and short firearms, ammunition and explosives were recovered during the operations.

The raid came following the filing of murder charges against Teves over the killings of three individuals in the province in 2019.

Teves is also being pinpointed as the mastermind of the brazen killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4 in Pamplona town.

Meanwhile, Fajardo categorically denied the claims of Teves’ lead legal counsel Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio who earlier said that police were harassing with physical abuse Oray to force her to testify against her boss.

She also denied Topacio’s claim that policemen prevented Teves’ relatives from boarding a plane going to Negros Oriental when the raids were being conducted.

“We don’t want to engage in a verbal tussle sa kanyang mga kasamahan at pamilya. Kung meron silang question as to the manner and propriety ay meron proper forum for that. Handa po tayong sagutin ang mga allegations,” said Fajardo.

(We don’t want to engage in a verbal argument with his colleagues and family. If they have questions as to the manner and propriety, there is a proper forum for that. We are ready to answer the allegations.)

“Doon sa allegations na may physical abuse. Tahasan nating dine-deny na may ganyang pangyayari. During the implementation of the search warrant may mga witnesses tayo na mga barangay officials,” she added.

(As for the allegations of physical abuse, we categorically deny that such an incident took place. During the implementation of the search warrant, we had witnesses who were barangay officials.)

Topacio maintained that the firearms allegedly recovered by the operating team in Teves’ house were not his, noting that the official already surrendered his firearms to proper authorities before he left the country. (SunStar Philippines)