NEGROS Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. currently has no intention of returning to the country, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio yesterday said.
In an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source, Topacio said that Teves remains concerned about the persistent threat he faces.The lawmaker also questioned the impartiality of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which he believes is prematurely drawing conclusions.
Teves has been implicated in the widely – publicized murder of provincial governor Roel Degamo and several other civilians on March 4.
The Negros solon denied any involvement in the killings and said he will only consider returning to the country once his safety concerns are adequately addressed.
Topacio urged Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson attorney Mico Clavano to exercise restraint and avoid tarnishing the reputation of fellow lawyers.
Clavano recently called upon the legal representatives of the suspects involved in killing of Degamo to cooperate with the government’s efforts in uncovering the truth behind the assassination rather than impeding the ongoing investigation.
The statement came in light of one of the suspects, Osmundo Rivero, retracting his previous testimony, which subsequently influenced three more suspects to do the same.
Clavano also mentioned that an undisclosed former Undersecretary of the DOJ had allegedly been using his clout to prevent detained suspects from cooperating with the authorities.
“I take exemption to certain insinuations made by the DOJ spox. He implied that the lawyer of the three suspects are obstructing justice and a DOJ Undersecretary pulling strings. I think attorney Clavano should be told to shut up because these are serious accusations against fellow lawyers,” Topacio said.
