The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized about 15 firearms, explosives, and ammunition in raids on three houses in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, one of which was allegedly owned by Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. (Neg. Or., 3rd District), on Friday morning, March 10.
The two other houses were believed to be owned by the congressman’s relatives, identified as Hannah Mae and Jojo Maturan, PCol. Thomas Valmonte, CIDG Legal Division chief, told reporters.
Search warrants were also reportedly implemented at a house and a beach resort allegedly owned by Teves in Basay, Negros Oriental.
Candice Colleen, the wife of Teves, on her Facebook page said “they planted so many things in our properties, including a grenade in our laundry room at Utopia.”
Teves has been tagged as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in Pamplona on March 4, that also left eight others dead and 17 injured.
The congressman has denied involvement in the killing.
Four of the suspected gunmen have been arrested and fifth one was killed.
Valmonte said the raids were conducted as part of the CIDG’s “Oplan Paglalansag” drive to recover loose firearms.
The CIDG has yet to issue a full report on the items seized during the service of the five search warrants in Bayawan and Basay.
Teves is in the United States where he said he was undergoing stem cell treatment.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a statement issued Friday said: “l advise Rep. Arnie Teves to come back to the country as soon as possible. His authority to travel to the United States is covered only by the period February 28 to March 9, 2023. Clearly, the TA of Rep. Teves has expired effective today”.
His travel outside the country beyond the period granted him is no longer authorized by the House of Representatives, Romualdez said.
“We all want to hear his side of the story”, Romualdez said, after his name was linked to the death of Degamo,
Those arrested have already admitted to participation in the crime and the government will not stop until the person behind it is made to answer, Romualdez added.
An overhaul of the entire Negros Oriental police force following the massacre has been ordered and is being implemented.
A source said a state of emergency could still be declared in Negros Oriental.*