HMMM…another holiday, something called “National Heroes Day” but we’re not going to talk about those so-called heroes, perceived, appointed or otherwise.
Let’s talk about a politician who’s been declared a terrorist, accused of masterminding the murder of a political opponent and indecent behavior.
No, he was not caught in the arms of a jealous lover but he was literally caught with his pants down on social media, with a video dancing in his drawers, hence “indecent behavior”.
Of course, we’re talking about former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. I say “former” because as of Aug. 16, 2023 the House of Representatives expelled him from the roll of members.
And here we go…
The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has declared Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and 12 others as terrorists for allegedly being involved in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and other killings.
In Resolution No. 63 dated July 26 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the ATC marked Teves as the leader and mastermind of the “terrorist group” behind Degamo’s murder and other political slayings in Negros Oriental. (Philippine Daily Inquirer 8/01/2023)
According to DOJ Undersecretary Nicolas Felix Ty, the ATC is not mandated to give Teves and his group the chance to be heard before designating them as terrorists.
“Under the procedure laid down by law and by the implementing rules and regulations, we’re not required to hear from the respondents when it comes to designation. That is not the case in preliminary investigation where the respondents have the right to be heard”.
Meanwhile, National Security Council assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said this move by the ATC was meant to address the threat posed by the Teves group to the security and well-being of the Filipino people, especially those residing in Negros Oriental province.
“The killings in Negros Oriental reveal an unmistakable pattern of being meticulously planned and executed. These violent acts were motivated by the underlying objectives to intimidate the residents of Negros Oriental and create an atmosphere of and spread the message of fear, and he is using his position in government to thoroughly control the province through fear and intimidation.”
And these findings by the ATC on Teves makes him and his group qualified to be declared terrorists under Section 4 of RA 11479 or the Anti- Terrorism law.
This simply means that the law is functioning perfectly well as it should. Of course, much to the disappointment of the pseudo-communists party-list members of Congress who fancy themselves the “Makabayan group” as this terrorist designation of Teves and his group was done without the dreaded “red tagging” foreplay.
The House of Representatives expelled Teves Jr., with 265 lawmakers voting to adopt the Committee on Ethics’ unanimous recommendation to evict Teves for his “disorderly behavior and for violation of the Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives.”
Cited as basis for Teves’ expulsion are: his continued absence without leave, his pursuit for political asylum in Timor-Leste, his designation as a “terrorist”, and his “indecent behavior” on social media, which shows a video of him dancing while wearing undergarments, causing dishonor to the “honorable” members of congress.
No one voted against the committee recommendation, except for the three members of the Makabayan bloc who abstained from voting, which does not come as a surprise as here’s someone declared a “terrorist” without the benefit of “red tagging”.
I’m pretty sure that party-list representatives Arlene Brosas, France Castro and Raoul Manuel are at a loss on how to connect “red tagging” with someone designated a terrorist who is not a pseudo-communist, not even a “useful idiot”.
They must be greatly disappointed that being declared a terrorist is not synonymous with “red tagging”.
Teves should just seek political asylum in The Netherlands, not Timor-Leste, identify as a pseudo-communist, and become the next Joma Sison demi-god of the pseudo-communists and “useful idiots”./PN
