The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday confirmed that expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., tagged as the brains behind the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, has been included in the red notice list of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla made the confirmation following reports that a red notice was issued by the Interpol on Tuesday containing Teves’ name.
Besides the Interpol red notice, Remulla said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had cancelled Teves’ passport.
“Aside from the Interpol red notice, his passport was already cancelled as the DFA has complied and cancelled his passport,” Remulla said.
The Interpol explained that a red notice refers to a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
The Interpol clarified however, that a red notice is not an international arrest warrant.
Reports indicated that it was like Teves visited Cambodia.
Earlier, authorities said Teves was shuttling between Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Thailand. It was in Timor-Leste where he sought asylum but was rejected.
The Interpol also noted that Teves has a warrant of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder over the March 4 attack on Degamo and several visitors while the governor was distributing aid at his residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
A blue notice requires member-countries to collect additional information about a suspect’s identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.
Aside from the murder of Degamo and others, the former lawmaker and some of his henchmen have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019, Interpol said.
The Anti-Terrorism Council has also designated Teves and 12 others as terrorists, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental attributed to them.
The House of Representatives in mid-August voted to expel Teves for disorderly conduct and his continued absence despite an expired travel authority.
In early February, a Manila City regional trial court ordered the cancellation of Teves’ passport to force him to return home.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Fugitive Teves now on Interpol red notice—DOJ.”
