While suspended Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnie Teves may be running out of cards after Timor Leste rejected his asylum application, footage suggesting the extent of his influence in the province has surfaced — including a video of police officers dancing at his birthday party.
Reddit user u/GuillotineTheMarcos posted a clip of Teves’ birthday celebration showing uniformed Philippine National Police (PNP) officers engaging in a dance performance as an amused Teves looks on.
“This is why killings in Negros don’t get solved,” the OP wrote.
“They’re doing this during work hours, in their uniforms. Isn’t that illegal and unethical?” one asked.
When one suggested that this could be a mañanita — a traditional party held for high-ranking police officers — another countered, “But Teves isn’t a police officer. This is them sucking up to their warlord,” they alleged.
Teves has been outside the Philippines since March, refusing to return due to his alleged involvement in the assassination of incumbent Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
The attack, which also occurred in March, resulted in 10 deaths, with another victim succumbing to injuries after two months. Teves had traveled to the United States under the pretext of medical reasons before the killing. Reports also suggest he was in Cambodia and South Korea during the investigation.
Secretary Boying Remulla accused Teves of funding and masterminding the attack. The filing of murder complaints has been delayed, but Remulla is pushing for their expedited submission.
Teves denies any connection to Degamo’s killing, citing safety concerns as the reason for not returning to the Philippines. However, he remains wanted for separate murder complaints filed in 2019 for killings in Negros Oriental province.
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