Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. has been cleared for discharge from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and will be transferred back to his detention cell, according to his lawyer.
Attorney Ferdinand Topacio confirmed Tuesday that Teves will return to the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Camp Bagong Diwa. Despite the clearance, Teves continues to suffer from abdominal pain and remains under medical watch following his June 18 appendectomy at PGH.
Teves is facing multiple charges, including murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder, in connection to the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and 10 others.
He also faces a separate case for illegal possession of firearms and explosives before a Manila court. In all cases, Teves has refused to enter a plea, prompting courts to enter not guilty pleas on his behalf.
Due to his surgery, the arraignment for one of the murder cases has been postponed to July 14.
Teves and several co-accused are also charged in connection to the 2019 killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental. The Anti-Terrorism Council previously designated him and others as terrorists, citing a series of violent acts and intimidation incidents in the province.