In a Senate hearing on Monday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed that the Department of Justice intends to request the designation and proscription of Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the suspended representative of Negros Oriental, as a terrorist. This move aims to compel him to turn himself in to law enforcement authorities.
“As a solution to the impasse here about the surrender of Mr. Teves, we are looking at designating him or proscribing him as a terrorist, to have him proscribed by the Court of Appeals and designated by the Anti-Terrorism Council because of the acts that happened,” Remulla said.
“Because the other persons are in custody already, so there’s no more need [for their designation], but as far as Mr. Teves is concerned, Congressman Teves, we may need for him to be designated and proscribed,” Remulla added.
When asked about the evidence needed to establish an act of terrorism under Section 25 of the Anti-Terrorism Law, the Justice Secretary replied that all activities leading to the killing of Degamo on March 4 are covered by the law, including recruitment, financing, firearm acquisition, and distribution.
Arnie Teves will be tagged as terrorist if he will not surrender – DOJ
This response suggests that the government views these actions as severe threats to public safety and is prepared to use the Anti-Terrorism Law to prosecute those involved. It also implies a broad interpretation of the law, enabling the authorities to target individuals or groups they consider engaging in terrorist activities.
“Everything that transpired…actually has the hallmarks of terrorism in it. However, when cases were filed individually, we could not file an anti-terror case immediately…because it takes a lot of legal theory and a lot of research to prove a terrorism case and we are afraid right now that if we imemdiately file a terrorism case based on the crimes that transpired, it may prejudice other convictions that may be secured easily with the same punishment for murder, for multiple murder,” he said.
“That is really the intent, [which] is really to look into these acts that transpired and the proscription and the designation to be our goal further down the road because if the person will not surrender, then we will have to make the world smaller for him,” Remulla added.
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