The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police filed a multiple murder complaint against Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. (Neg. Or., 3rd District) and five others for killings in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Three counts of murder were filed against Teves before the Department of Justice on Tuesday, March 7.
Other respondents named in the murder complaint were alias Hannah Mae, Richard Cuadra alias Boy Cuadra, Jasper Tanasan alias Bobong Tanasan, Rolando Pinili alias Inday and Alex Mayagma.
The complaint said the killings occurred in front of the Silliman Medical Center in Dumaguete City at 3:54 p.m. on March 25, 2019; Sitio Labugon, Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental, at around 11: 30 a.m. on May 26, 2019; and in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, at 7:20 a.m. June 23, 2019.
The complaint was filed following the murder of Gov. Roel Degamo, a political rival of Teves. The mastermind in the killing of Degamo and eight others has yet to be named.
Teves has denied having a hand in the crime.
Among the victims in the 2019 crimes was Negros Oriental Board Member Miguel Lopez Dungog, an ally of Degamo.
Dungog was killed in front of the Silliman Medical Center on March 25, 2019 by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants.
The two other victims were identified as Lester Pialgao Bato and Pacito Retes Libron.
Teves allegedly gave the instructions to assassinate the victims.
The congressman could not be reached for comment.*