By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Negros Oriental seized several firearms and explosives in a series of raid on the houses owned by 3rd district Congressman Arnolfo Teves early yesterday morning.

Based on initial information released by CIDG-Negros Oriental, they conducted the raid as part of Oplan: Paglalansag Omega, which aims to confiscate loose firearms.

Recovered from the raid were a fragmentation grenade, a .45 caliber pistol, two .40 caliber pistols, a rifle scope, seven rounds of .45 caliber bullets, and 50 rounds of .40 caliber bullets.

Police have also arrested Jose Palo Gimarangan during a raid at Barangay Poblacion’s Purok 4 in Negros Oriental’s Basay town.

Authorities also inspected the firearms of security guards of the Tolong Sugar Milling Company Inc. in Sta. Catalina town, which was formerly owned by the Teves family.

Meanwhile, Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said the CIDG operatives issued search warrants and he has yet to talk with his client.

Topacio added that the firearms owned by Teves were surrendered to the respective police stations in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations on licensing and possession.

The lawyer is also confident that his client will be exonerated.

As of press time, it remains unclear if the raid is connected to the recent criminal charges filed against Teves over alleged involvement in the killing of a Negros Oriental board member in 2019.

It is also uncertain if the raid was connected to the solon being named as a mastermind by one of the suspects involved in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last Saturday, March 4.

Travel authority extension rejected

On the other hand, House Speaker Martin Romualdez rejected Teves’ request for an extension of his travel authority yesterday afternoon.

Teves is currently in the United States undergoing stem cell treatment.

Based on his travel clearance, the issued travel authority date was February 28, 2023.

He was supposed to return to the Philippines on Thursday, March 9.

His travel authority outside the country is already beyond the period indicated.

Romualdez, in a statement released to reporters in the House of Representatives, advised the lawmaker to return home soon.

The speaker added that it would be better for Teves to return home so he could face the allegations linking him to the assassination of Degamo./DGB, WDJ