Rep. Arnolfo Teves
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday dismissed the complaint of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives against 3rd district of Negros Oriental Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves.
This after DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano said these firearms – seized during one of the raids in his properties in Negros Oriental – were previously licensed to a certain Roland Pablio, who will face the complaint.
“Na-dismiss yung isang kaso ng illegal possession of firearms against Cong. Arnie Teves. There are 8 other cases against the congressman, isa lang yun. Masyado namang dinidiin sa media na na-dismiss yung kaso ni Cong. Arnie Teves. Isa lang yun,” Clavano said in a media forum in Quezon City.
“It goes to show na wala tayong pinipilit dito. Kung manipis ang kaso, especially in this case na wala namang conspiracy to possess firearms, dini-dismiss ng DOJ yun, dahil wala naman talagang basis,” he added.
The DOJ official said while a complaint was dismissed; this does not mean that his “record is already clear” as Teves and his sons are still facing multiple complaints related to RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Law on Explosives.
The DOJ, however, is still “determining who has the actual possession” of firearms and grenades.
“He is still considered one of the suspects, in the masterminds of the slay of Gov. Degamo,” he said.
Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio has yet to comment about the latest development of the case.
