Available remedies are being eyed by the camp of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. after the Anti-Terrorism Council or ATC designated the lawmaker as a terrorist.
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, counsel of Teves, said they had expected the designation as it was mentioned earlier by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“On our part, we were just waiting for a formal declaration by the ATC so we can file the appropriate remedies, either administrative or court,” Topacio said.
On 26 July, ATC Resolution Number 43 was approved and was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin designating Teves, his brother former governor Pryde Henry Teves, and 11 others as terrorists over several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
The ATC said their violations included committing terrorism; planning, training, preparing, and facilitating the commission of terrorism; recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization; and providing material support to terrorists.
With the designation, the Anti-Money Laundering Council froze Representative Teves’ assets.
“The Anti-Money Laundering Council’s issuance of a freeze order was based on the Anti-Terrorism Act’s Section 25 in relation to Section 36,” AMLC legal officer Luis Anthony Warren said at a Palace press briefing.
He added: “Upon the designation of an individual or organization, it is ministerial upon the part of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue an ex parte order to freeze without delay the assets of the subjects in this case. So, that’s all.”
Topacio said their camp had no knowledge yet of the matter but that they would have remedies for it under the law.
The solon was tagged as the mastermind of the assassination of the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on 4 March which also left nine others dead and several wounded.
Degamo’s widow, Pamplona town Mayor Janice Degamo, said the designation of Teves as a terrorist gave hope and a sense of security to the people of Negros Oriental and it vindicated the victims who had given their testimonies.
Light at the end of tunnel
She said they are seeing the light at the end of a dark tunnel, and this will have a ripple effect.
Meanwhile, DoJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson, Atty. Mico Clavano, yesterday said all the assets, including bank deposits, of Rep. Teves, his brother Henry, and the 11 other persons designated as terrorists are expected to be frozen within the week.
Clavano said this type of process is meant to be quick “precisely because we want to prevent the dissipation of assets.”
Also designated terrorists, aside from the Teves brothers, were Marvin H. Miranda, Rogelio C. Antipolo, Rommel Pattaguan, Winrich B. Isturis, John Louie Gonyon, Dahniel Lora, Eulogio Gonyon Jr., Tomasino Aledro, Nigel Electona, Jomarie Catubay and Hannah Mae Sumero Oray.
Clavano, who is also the ATC deputy spokesperson, said the council will issue a Sanction Freeze Order or SFO to banks relative to all assets of the designees.