MANILA – The camp of former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. defended a plan to bring his case before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
According to Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves is allowed to bring his alleged persecution before the UN since the Philippines is a signatory to the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
“Ang ating bansa ay signatory doon sa UN Declaration of Human Rights, and under international law…ang isang indibidwal as opposed to states ay subject na rin po sa international law,” Topacio said in an interview with GMA’s Unang Balita on Tuesday.
“Sapagkat tayo nga po ay member-state, pwede po mag-exert ng moral suasion at diplomatic pressure. Pero ang mahalaga po rito ay maipakita po natin na talagang merong violation of human rights,” he added.
Teves is facing multiple murder charges for the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and others at the home of the then-governor on March 4, 2023.
The former lawmaker was arrested in Dili, Timor Leste on Thursday afternoon last week, March 21, while playing golf after he was placed on the INTERPOL red notice last February.
Aside from the murder of Degamo, Teves and others have also been charged for the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Teves was designated as a terrorist along with 11 others by the Anti-Terrorism Council in June 2023 and was expelled from his elective position in August 2023./PN
