Marcos: No threat to Teves' life

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reiterated his assurance that there was no threat to the life of former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. after the latter refused to go back to the Philippines.

Teves, the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine other people, was arrested last March in Timor-Leste while playing golf.

In an ambush interview in Bacolod City, Marcos said that Teves would be treated with «compassion and fairness,» the same reception that would be given to Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

«Same thing. Of all the things Teves said, he is scared for his life; we do not have reports like that. There is no threat to his life,» Marcos told reporters.

Teves, who was under the custody of the Timorese police, has twice sought political asylum in Timor-Leste.

Teves and 12 others were earlier designated as «terrorists» by the Anti-Terrorism Council after a series of alleged killings and harassment of Negros Oriental residents.

Teves was placed on the International Criminal Police Organization's red notice in February.

A red notice is a request for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.