The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. and 12 others as terrorists, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
Approved on July 26, ATC’s Resolution Number 43 tagged as terrorists the following individuals who allegedly violated some provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act:
- Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Alipit Teves, Jr.
- Pryde Henry A. Teves
- Marvin H. Miranda
- Rogelio C. Antipolo
- Rommel Pattaguan
- Winrich B. Isturis
- John Louie Gonyon
- Daniel Lora
- Eulogio Gonyon Jr.
- Tomasino Aledro
- Nigel Electona
- Jomarie Catubay
- Hannah Mae Sumero Oray
The Council said their violations include committing terrorism; planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism; recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization; and providing material support to terrorists.
Arnie was tagged as the mastermind behind the attack on the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4. Degamo and eight others were killed while several others were injured in the attack. The death toll later climbed to 10.
“Prior to the assassination of Gov. Degamo, numerous politically and economically motivated killings were attributed to Cong. Teves, Jr. and his armed group of followers/supporters,” the ATC said.
“However, notwithstanding these numerous killings, the relatives of these victims have remained silent and did not file any criminal complaint against Cong. Teves, Jr. and his group of armed men because of the existing atmosphere of fear and threat prevailing in the province,” it added.
For the ATC, the numerous killings and harassments in Negros Oriental which culminated in the assassination of Degamo should not be considered as isolated and random incidents of violence.
“A closer evaluation of these killings and harassments shows an unmistakable pattern of a rather organized and orchestrated action. These killings and harassments are meticulously and deliberately planned and executed for the purpose of intimidating the residents of Negros Oriental as well as to create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear,” it said.
“These acts are also designed to influence by intimidation the local population and government of Negros Oriental to seriously undermine public safety and to ensure that Cong. Teves, Jr. and his group could continue and expand their reign of terror in the guise of political leadership,” it added. —KG, GMA Integrated News
