Detained Former Negros Oriental Congressman Transferred to SICA Facility
Detained former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. will soon be relocated to the Special Intensive Care Area (SICA) detention facility in Taguig City, sources said. Since his deportation from Timor-Leste, Teves has been held at the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) facility inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago confirmed that he has ordered the bureau’s intelligence division and detention staff to transfer Teves immediately to the SICA compound, now part of the Metro Manila District Jail, Annex 2 of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City. This move follows commitment orders issued by two branches of the Manila regional trial court (RTC) that have arraigned Teves on various criminal charges.
Multiple Murder Charges Pending Against Teves
Teves faces serious accusations before Manila RTC Branch 51, including 10 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and five counts of attempted murder. These charges relate to the March 4, 2023 shooting incident in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted in the deaths of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Additionally, Teves is charged with one count of murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives before Manila RTC Branch 12. When arraigned, Teves refused to enter a plea, prompting the courts to record a “not guilty” plea on his behalf.
Other Charges and Court Proceedings
Beyond these, Teves faces one count of murder each before Manila RTC Branch 15 and Bayawan City RTC Branch 63. He is also charged with two cases of violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 before Quezon City RTC Branch 77. However, arraignment dates for these additional cases have not yet been set by the respective courts.
Local officials noted that the transfer to the SICA facility aims to ensure tighter security and proper monitoring of Teves given the gravity of the charges and public interest surrounding his cases.
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