Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. insisted that he will not yes return home over fears of his safety, as he called on authorities for “fairness” and likewise look at other angles linked to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
The lawmaker is being linked to the killing of the Negros Oriental governor as others.
In a teleconference video, Teves said that he had been asking the House committee on ethics and privileges panel hearing that he be allowed to appear virtually, but they insisted he be physically present to explain why he has not returned despite a lapsed travel authority.
“Ang hinihingi ko lang naman fairness, at hindi yung ididiin yung isang tao. Hinihiling ko rin sana na tignan ang lahat ng anggulo,” Teves said in a recorded video message on his social media account.
“Paano natin makukuha ang totoong hustisya dito? Pareho lang kami ng pamilya Degamo na biktima dito. Ginagamit ako ng marami dyan for political milage. Nanawagan ako sa ating mahal na Presidente sobra na yung ginagawa ng ibang tao sa gobyerno sa akin, masyado na nila akong dinidiin, kinakawawa, at inaapi,” he added.
Teves also said that a “script” is now being unraveled.
“Mga bossing unti unti nang nakikita ng taumbayan ang script. ‘Wag nyo naman sanang gawing sine ang totoong buhay, nagsasakripisyo kayo ng tao para sa palabas nyo, ‘wag naman ganun mga boss. Ano kaya kung kayo ang nasa lugar ko na ginawa kayong sacrificial lamb,” he said.
“Meron nga akong naisip na kasama sa script ‘yung pagpatay kay Degamo para lang madiin ako, grabe naman, pag nalaman ni Presidente itong pinaggagawa nyo malilintikan kayo sa kanya,” he added.
Answering the call of Speaker Martin Romualdez for him to come home, Teves again poured in fears over his security.
“Hindi lang naman sa wala akong tiwala sa inyo, ito lang ang aking tanong paano ninyo ako magagarantiya ng safety ko na unang una tinanggalan ninyo ako ng baril…bodyguard, ngayon gagarantiyahan ninyo ako safety? Ilang army, ilang pulis nakaassign kay Degamo nasaan siya ngayon nakalibing,” he said.
“Sa totoo lang gusto kong umuwi kundi lang sa pagkadelikado ng aking buhay,” he also said.
He also appealed to his “friend” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“Isama ninyo man ako sa suspect sa mga imbestigasyon walang problema, pero ang hiling ko lang huwag naman ako lang. Lahat ng anggulo tignan natin,” he added.
The DOJ had earlier dismissed one of the eight complaints that include the illegal possession of firearms and unlawful possession of explosives filed against Teves due to lack of evidence.
Two arrested suspects, Joric Labrador and Benjie Rodriguez, both former soldiers, earlier said a certain “Cong Teves” ordered the hit on Negros Governor Roel Degamo, who was killed at his residence in Pamplona town on March 4.
Teves had been denying that he and his brother Henry were involved in the killing of Degamo amid allegations that the incident was politically motivated. The Teveses are political rivals of the Degamo family.
Catherine Reyes
