By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. made accusations against Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez after the lawmaker was tagged as a “terrorist” by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC).
During his online press conference on August 1, Teves referred to Benitez as “boss” and accused him of betraying him in their “agreement.”
“Alam niyo naman boss ko si Albee Benitez, ‘di ba? Ka-negosyo ko rin si Albee Benitez. Kaibigan ko pero ngayon nga ‘di na ako pinapansin,” Teves said.
He said he received information that his friends, and even his sons, would soon be designated as terrorists.
“Sige nga kung isasama niyo itong mga anak ko, tignan natin kung kaya niyong isama si Albee Benitez sa terror group. Tingnan natin kung fair kayo,” he said.
Teves also wants Benitez to pay his alleged “personal debt” to him.
“Ayoko sana na pangalanan kita, pero masyado na akong iniipit… pero boss pakibayaran mo naman ‘yung utang mo sa akin. Maawa ka naman sa pamilya ko,” Teves said.
Meanwhile, Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio commented that since the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has decided to freeze Teves’ assets, then it should also freeze Benitez’s assets too.
“I think the AMLC should be put on notice,” Topacio said.
At the online press conference, Teves again questioned the ATC as to why he was the one branded as a terrorist when he claimed to have business partners.
Earlier, the ATC released a 10-page resolution stating the “Teves Terrorist Group,” supposedly headed by Teves, allegedly created an atmosphere of fear among residents of Negros Oriental, through a series of killings.
His brother, former Governor Pryde Henry Teves, was also tagged as a terrorist.
The lawmaker has denied being part of any group which sows terrorism.
They intend to have their names removed from the list of designated terrorists.
Teves has not returned to the country since March of this year, after he was accused of being the mastermind in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine individuals in Pamplona town on March 4.
On the other hand, Benitez has yet to give his statement over the allegations as he has been on official leave since Friday, August 4.
The mayor is expected to hold a press conference when he returns to work today at the Bacolod City Government Center./With reports from CNN Philippines / DGB, WDJ