Solon’s brod facing illegal firearms raps, but willing to cooperate with PNP
Former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves on Saturday said he is willing to cooperate with authorities after police recovered firearms and ammunition following a raid on a sugar mill owned by a company he heads.
The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) seized P18 million in cash, multiple firearms, and nearly 10,000 rounds of live ammunition from the HDJ Bayawan Agri-Venture Corp. Tolong compound in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental on Friday.
“Yes, I am the President of the Corp. [HDJ Bayawan Agri-Venture]. The search is not yet done. Let’s wait for it to be concluded so I can also check with our records on who owns what and how it came to be,” he told CNN Philippines in a text message on Friday while the raid was in progress.
“I will definitely cooperate with the authorities to shed light on the matter,” he added. “I reached out to the DOJ (Department of Justice), they need me to be invited to answer some questions so they can put it together. I am very willing also, I have no problem with it.”
Pryde Teves is the brother of Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind behind the killing of Governor Roel Degamo on Mar. 4.
CIDG legal officer Col. Thomas Valmonte on Saturday said authorities also discovered 207 pieces of fired bullets of different calibers during the raid on the sugar mill in Sta. Catalina town, Negros Oriental.
Pryde Teves will also be held criminally liable over the supposed illegal weapons, according to Valmonte. The business compound was raided by virtue of a search warrant due to an alleged violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act.
Henry was unseated as governor by Degamo months after the May 2022 elections after the Commission on Elections nullified the latter’s victory.
Degamo was killed in an armed attack inside his private compound in Pamplona town earlier this month.
Rep. Teves earlier denied his clan’s involvement in the killing of Degamo.
Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, the widow of the slain governor, accused Teves of being involved in the death of some 20 to 30 individuals in the province.
Rep. Teves’ legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, urged Mrs. Degamo to prove her claim.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army has been keeping tabs on those who are leaving their force following the revelation that many of the suspects in the killing of Degamo were found to be ex-military men, the Department of National Defense said on Saturday.
In a media forum, Defense Spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the Philippine Army has already “taken steps” by monitoring those who have retired, will retire, and those who earlier left their branch.” Charles Dantes
