ROMUALDEZ TO TEVES: RETURN TO PH
And answer questions on death of Degamo, 8 others
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday night told Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves via phone that he should return to the country and answer questions on the death of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.
“Pero inulit ko rin kay Cong. Arnie, he needs to go home and report for work immediately as he no longer has the authority to travel outside the country. Gusto rin naming marinig sa Kongreso ang panig niya. Kung may kaso man siyang kailangang harapin, dapat niya itong harapin. Dito sa loob ng bansa, at hindi sa labas,” Speaker Romualdez said.
Speaker Romualdez bared Tuesday that Teves phoned him Monday night but the latter refused to return after expressing fear for his life and his family.
“Cong. Arnie Teves got in touch with me through a phone call last night from an undetermined location. He expressed fears for the safety of his person and his family, saying this is the reason why he refuses to return home at this time,” Speaker Romualdez said.
According to the Speaker, he assured Teves that the House leadership will do everything to ensure the security of House Members and tasked retired PMGEN Napoleon C. Taas, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives, to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to secure him in case he decides to come back to the Philippines.
“I assured him that the Speaker, as the political and administrative leader of the House of Representatives, will exert all efforts to ensure the personal safety of all Members. In fact, I have ordered the House Sergeant-at-Arms to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and prepare appropriate security arrangements for his return,” Teves said.
