Expelled Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is set to be transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) detention facility located within the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) compound in Muntinlupa, the agency announced on Friday.
NBI Deputy Director for Operations Atty. Antonio Pagatpat said that, as part of standard procedure, the agency will prepare and submit a return of the warrant of arrest to inform the issuing court that Teves is now under their custody.
Pagatpat clarified that the detention facility is separate from the Bureau of Corrections and is solely supervised and maintained by the NBI.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago echoed the same sentiment, reiterating that Building 14 is a distinct and separate facility—unlike those under BuCor, where detainees are already convicted.
He added that once the warrant of arrest is returned to the respective court, along with the certificate of detention, the court may then proceed to set the arraignment date for Teves.
Santiago further assured that the detention facility is orderly and sanitary, stressing that no irregular activities will take place and that Teves will receive proper treatment.
"Walang hokus pokus doon sa [detention center]. Parehas ang treatment, walang torture, walang anupaman. Mahigpit ang bilin ko sa kanila at hindi na pu-pwedeng makakagala sa labas ang detainee. Mahigpit ang bilin ko sa ganyan," said Santiago.
He then explained that Teves will initially be placed in a separate detention cell—not as a special privilege, but to allow him to gradually adjust to detention conditions.
"Ilalagay na muna natin siya sa isang solo na room para acclimatize siya as being a detainee. Dahan-dahan ang process na ‘yan," he added.
Once the warrant is officially returned to the court, the next step may involve the issuance of a commitment order, which could determine where Teves will be detained.
According to NBI officials, it will then be up to his legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, to take the necessary actions in response to the court’s directive.
As of 12:46 p.m., Teves arrived at NBI facility in Muntinlupa.
Teves is facing multiple criminal charges, including murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives, in connection with the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
