Negros solon asks for more time abroad; Come home, Speaker tells him

By Charles Dantes, Maricel

V. Cruz, and Rey E. Requejo

POLICE on Friday raided houses belonging to Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who has been charged for three murders in 2019, and who has been linked to the March 4 assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

Police said they searched three residences in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City, and a resort home in Basay in compliance with warrants issued by a court.

Teves' lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. confirmed in separate interviews the reports of the police raids.

“It’s not yet clear to us who or what they are looking for,” Topacio said.

Topacio confirmed the CIDG served search warrants on five houses. He said he has yet to talk to his client, who was in the United States.