The Department of Justice filed with the Regional Trial Court of Bayawan City, various criminal informations for Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives against Heracleo Oray, Rodolfo Teves Maturan, Joseph Kyle Maturan, and Roland Pablio.

Such was due to the police operation that was done by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group last March 10, 2023, in five different premises in Bayawan City and Basay, Negros Oriental, wherein Search Warrants were implemented, including those owned and/or controlled by Congressman Arnolfo Alipit Teves, Jr.

According to the DOJ, since Representative Teves, Jr. is at-large, the criminal complaints against him are still under ongoing preliminary investigation.

The CIDG meanwhile said that they have yet to receive the decision of the DOJ that junked one of the 8 criminal complaint against Representative Teves, Jr., which is a co-respondent with Roland Pablio.

“The CIDG has yet to formally receive a copy of the resolution, but if it is true, we respect the findings and disposition of the DOJ on this particular case or complaint. This only goes to show that the government is here to prosecute, not to persecute,” the CIDG said

But the CIDG believes that the rest of the cases are air tight.

There are five information or cases the prosecutors filed before the courts and four of the accused are already under the custody of the PNP.

The other cases involving Teves as accused is still the subject of the preliminary investigation of the DOJ.

“Maalala na nitong March 15, 2023, nagsampa rin ng kaso ang CIDG for Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives laban kina Congressman Teves at dalawa nitong anak na sina Kurt Matthew at Axel Teves matapos madiskubre ang matataas na kalibre ng baril, hand grenade, grenade launcher at assorted ammunition sa kanilang bahay sa Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

We are just waiting for the resolution to be issued by the DOJ on this case,” PBGen Romeo Caramat Jr. said.

Three counts of murder were slapped by the CIDG against Congressman Teves and others, with regards to the killing of Board Member Miguel Dungog, Lester Bato and Pacito Libron.

The CIDG Top Cop reiterated the message of DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur“  C Abalos Jr., “Hindi titigil ang Gobyerno sa pagtugis sa mga kriminal at iba pang patuloy na lumalabag sa batas at sisiguraduhin na sila ay mapapanagot at mabibigyan ng hustisya ang lahat ng naging biktima.”

Catherine R. Cueto