MANILA – Speaker Martin Romualdez has not received communication from Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves ever since the House leader urged the latter to return to the Philippines and face allegations that he was behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
In a statement on Monday, Romualdez said Teves’ stay outside the country is no longer authorized by the House of Representatives.
Teves is currently in the United States for medical reasons. His travel authority was covered only by the period Feb. 28 to March 9, 2023.
“I have yet to receive any communication from Cong Arnie since I appealed to him to return home,” Romualdez said. “I expect Cong Arnie to heed my appeal and report for work as soon as possible.”
Romualdez said the officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed willingness to provide security to protect Teves should he return to the country.
“All Cong. Arnie needs to do is make the appropriate request. Our law enforcers cannot extend this protection outside the Philippines,” he noted.
Teves’ name surfaced amid the investigation into the death of Degamo, but the PNP was quick to clarify that it has not yet established the name of the mastermind behind the attack.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Teves has yet to communicate with the PNP regarding the matter as well as the recovery of various firearms and ammunition in his residences in the Negros Oriental which were the subjects of search warrant operations last week.
“We are expecting him to return to answer ‘yung mga (those) accusations and the charges against him,” Azurin said.
Azurin, however, said they cannot put Teves yet under their custody pending the issuance of an arrest warrant against him. (PNA)
