PNP will secure Rep. Teves if…

By Sean Rafio

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is willing to provide Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. with security once he returns home from a personal trip to the United States.

“We assure the family and loved ones of Congressman Teves na the PNP and other government forces [are] more than willing to provide security to him and hindi na niya kailangang mag-request,” PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing on Saturday.

The PNP’s deputy chief of operations has volunteered to provide security to the congressman, Fajardo added.

Two of the suspects in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo have tagged Teves as the alleged mastermind.

It was also unclear when Teves would return to the country from the US.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said Teves’ travel clearance already expired on March 10. He advised the Negros Oriental representative to return home as soon as possible.

Degamo and five others were shot dead in broad daylight while he was distributing aid to his constituents at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental on March 4.

Teves on Monday said he received information that he would be pinned down for Degamo’s assassination. He said he and his clan had nothing to do with the killing.