Suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. called the “terrorist” designation stupid, as he questions the basis for the tag by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).

“‘Yan ‘yung pinaka-istupido nilang sinabi. Sino ba namang pulitiko ang mag-so-sow ng fear?” Teves said during an online press conference on Tuesday, August 1.

“Nangangampanya ka nga para mahalin ng tao, sabay mananakot ka? Malaking katangahan ‘yun, ‘di ba?” he added.

The ATC released a 10-page resolution stating the “Teves Terrorist Group,” supposedly headed by the lawmaker, allegedly created an atmosphere of fear among residents of Negros Oriental, through a series of killings.

However, Teves has denied being part of any group which sows terrorism.

“There’s no such thing as a Teves Terrorist Group. Merong aksyon, tulong, solusyon. Not a terror group,” he said.

“Katangahan nga ‘yun. Istupido ka? Mag-te-terrorize ka ng tao kung magpapapili ka tuwing eleksyon. It’s illogical, it’s stupid, it’s katangahan. Hindi siya nagma-match,” he added.

Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ legal counsel, said the basis for the terrorist designation is pure speculation.

He said they have yet to receive the official copy of the resolution.

“What pattern? At na-prove na ba nila, even probable cause ‘yung [kay] Degamo?” he said, referring to the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others in Pamplona town in March of this year.

“Na-prove na ba nila ‘yung 2019? ‘Yung hearing sa Senado, puro alegasyon lang ‘yan,” he said of the several killings that happened in that year, which were allegedly perpetrated by Teves and his men.

Topacio also blamed the government for causing disturbances in Negros Oriental, saying that the Anti-Terrorism Act is being weaponized against Teves.

“So if there is that climate of fear in that place, sila po ang may kasalanan noon. They are the ones sowing fear. Sila po ang terorista na maituturing doon sa lugar na ‘yun,” the legal counsel said.

“‘Yung mga kakampi po namin ang natatakot doon. Maraming takot na tumestigo in our favor. Maraming takot na pumunta sa Maynila at ang feeling nila ay sila ay minamanmanan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Teves was not surprised that his brother, former Governor Pryde Henry Teves, was also tagged as a terrorist, calling it an act of “desperation.”

Pryde’s lawyer also denied his involvement in terrorism.

The former governor was not included among those charged or being under investigation by the Department of Justice in the Degamo slay.

The Teves brothers said they intend to have their names removed from the list of designated terrorists.

Furthermore, Topacio said the terrorist designation does not mean Teves has committed a crime.

He clarified a court trial is needed for him to be convicted of committing terrorist acts.

The allegations need to be proven beyond reasonable doubt, he added.

Teves’ camp is also studying taking judicial action to challenge the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act, saying that it was being used beyond what it was intended to.

“Itong ginagawa nila ngayon, na tinag nila ako as terrorist na walang rason, mas lalo pa ‘tong makakatulong sa akin dahil syempre, hindi naman tanga ‘yung mga tao sa ibang bansa na maniniwala sa kanila,” Teves said.

“It will magnify their political persecution. Mas lalong makikita na naninira sila. That they’re persecuting me. It will show more that there’s political persecution,” he added.

Teves is also aware and unfazed of the possibility that his assets and funds will be frozen.

“Dapat bumili sila ng malaking freezer baka hindi magkasya,” he joked./With reports from ABS-CBN News / WDJ