THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday confirmed the arrest of businessman and former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry A. Teves, who is facing financing terrorism charges before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City.
In a statement, the DOJ said the 50-year-old Teves was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by Cebu RTC Branch 74 on May 13, 2024 for alleged violations of The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
He was arrested at Dr. Vicente Locsin Street, barangay Taclobo, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, by National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CID) operatives.
Teves is the brother ofexpelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. who is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023.
Arnolfo and Pryde Henry along with 11 other individuals were designated by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) as terrorists belonging to the so-called Teves Terrorist Group (TTG) in July 2023.
The ATC took into consideration all sworn statements, closed-circuit camera footage showing Degamo’s assassination, various news footage showing the immediate arrest of the suspects, Senate inquiry in aid of legislation and other pieces of evidence gathered by various law government agencies in declaring Teves’s group as terrorists.
Arnolfo is currently in Timor Leste awaiting the decision of Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals in connection with the extradition request filed by the Philippine government.
He left the country prior to Degamo’s killing and refused to return after being implicated as the mastermind in the Degamo killing.
Arnolfo has sought political asylum in Timor-Leste, claiming that he is a victim of political persecution under the Marcos administration.
“The arrest of Pryde Henry Alipit Teves demonstrates our resolute commitment to fighting terrorism and upholding the rule of law,” the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a statement quoting Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla.
The court has set Teves’ bail at P200,000 for his temporary liberty.
“This arrest underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the law and bringing terrorism suspects to justice,” Remulla said.