THE petition filed by the camp of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, Jr. requesting that he be allowed to stay at the detention facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which is inside the compound of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), was denied by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51.
The court, in its five-page order, also ordered that Teves be transferred to the Metro Manila District Jail (MMDJ) in Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City, even as it also issued a commitment order for the immediate transfer of Teves.
Before this, the Manila RTC Branch 12, which hears his case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, ordered that Teves be transferred to the Manila City Jail.
Teves’ camp also presented a Certificate of Handover signed by Timor-Leste and the Philippine government before his deportation was allowed but this was set aside by Branch 51 where he faces cases of murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder in connection with the 2023 shooting death of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and ten others.
“This Court finds no merit in the motion of the accused to maintain his custody with the NBI detention facility,” the order said, noting that the certificate did not state specifically where Teves must be kept in custody which is a prerequisite for his transfer.
It also did not give weight to the claim of Teves that he may suffer ‘torture, inhuman or degrading treatment.’
“While the detention facilities in our country may not possess the luxuries a person may have been accustomed to, the detention therein does not automatically make it inhuman or degrading treatment upon one detainee’s mere say so,” the court said.
“Aside from this claim, the court failed to see any threats against the safety and life of the accused Teves, Jr. mentioned in the motion and how letting him remain in the custody of the NBI facility will secure him against said threats,” the court added.
