DOJ begins formal probe into guns, explosives case vs Teves
The Department of Justice (DOJ) started on Wednesday the preliminary investigation into the complaint of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves and several others.
In an interview, Atty. Ferdie Topacio, Teves’ counsel, stated that they requested more time to file a counter-affidavit, which the DOJ prosecutors granted. The defense has until April 14 to submit Teves’ counter-affidavit.
“We entered an appearance. We met with representatives of the CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group). They asked for a week to present additional evidence, and we asked for two more weeks after that to submit our evidence. Everything was cordial, and it went on uneventful,” Topacio said.
Atty. Mike Melia, counsel of respondent Jose Pablo Gimarangan, supported Topacio’s statement but added that they would review the additional evidence to be submitted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on March 29 before deciding to submit a counter-affidavit or waive its submission.
“The PNP-CIDG will submit additional evidence on March 29, and on our part, we will submit our counter-affidavit by April 14 if necessary because it will depend on the pieces of evidence to be submitted by the PNP-CIDG. If we believe that we no longer need a counter-affidavit, we might waive…” Melia said.
Teves and several other individuals face charges related to the discovery of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in his residences last March 10.
Reports indicate that two firearms suspected of being used in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others were discovered in one of Teves’ residences.
The simultaneous raids conducted by the police led to the recovery of three grenades, ten short firearms, six M4 rifles, 465 live ammunitions, 22 assorted magazines, and 194 empty shells.
The search warrants targeted Teves’ residence in Malabugas, Bayawan City, where his two children live, as well as two other properties in Basay City and two other properties in Bayawan, which were allegedly owned by Teves’ secretary and his close-in security staff.
