Gov't freezes Teves assets after terrorist tag | ABS-CBN
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Gov't freezes Teves assets after terrorist tag
Gov't freezes Teves assets after terrorist tag
Job Manahan,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 01, 2023 05:36 PM PHT
|
Updated Aug 02, 2023 10:25 AM PHT
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Philippine government has frozen the assets of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. after he was tagged as a "terrorist" by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The Philippine government has frozen the assets of Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. after he was tagged as a "terrorist" by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) legal officer Luis Warren said the freeze order was issued in keeping with the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) legal officer Luis Warren said the freeze order was issued in keeping with the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Aside from Rep. Teves, the assets of his younger brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, and 11 others named as terrorists in the ATC resolution were also frozen by the AMLC.
Aside from Rep. Teves, the assets of his younger brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, and 11 others named as terrorists in the ATC resolution were also frozen by the AMLC.
The council also ordered to freeze the properties and funds of Teves' former bodyguard Nigel Electona, his alleged bagman Marvin Miranda, and his secretary Hannah Mae Oray, among others.
The council also ordered to freeze the properties and funds of Teves' former bodyguard Nigel Electona, his alleged bagman Marvin Miranda, and his secretary Hannah Mae Oray, among others.
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The properties and funds subject of the AMLC freeze order include those owned or controlled by the subject of the terrorist designation, whether owned or jointly owned or controlled by them, those derived or generated from funds of the subject of designation, or those under persons or entities acting on their behalf.
The properties and funds subject of the AMLC freeze order include those owned or controlled by the subject of the terrorist designation, whether owned or jointly owned or controlled by them, those derived or generated from funds of the subject of designation, or those under persons or entities acting on their behalf.
"The assets of the designated individual, groups of persons, organization or association above-mentioned shall be subject to the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze pursuant to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10168 [or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012]," the law read.
"The assets of the designated individual, groups of persons, organization or association above-mentioned shall be subject to the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze pursuant to Section 11 of Republic Act No. 10168 [or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012]," the law read.
"So, upon the designation of an individual or organization, it is ministerial upon the part of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue an ex parte order to freeze without delay the assets of the subjects in this case. So, that’s all," Warren told Palace reporters.
"So, upon the designation of an individual or organization, it is ministerial upon the part of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to issue an ex parte order to freeze without delay the assets of the subjects in this case. So, that’s all," Warren told Palace reporters.
All covered institutions and relevant government agencies were required to submit to AMLC a written report while covered institutions were also required to submit as “suspicious transactions reports” all previous transactions of the designated persons within 5 days from effectivity of the sanctions freeze order.
All covered institutions and relevant government agencies were required to submit to AMLC a written report while covered institutions were also required to submit as “suspicious transactions reports” all previous transactions of the designated persons within 5 days from effectivity of the sanctions freeze order.
The AMLC notice also warned that anyone who deals directly or indirectly with the Teveses and the 11 others identified by the order or makes available to them property, funds or financial services would be prosecuted under the anti-terrorism financing law.
The AMLC notice also warned that anyone who deals directly or indirectly with the Teveses and the 11 others identified by the order or makes available to them property, funds or financial services would be prosecuted under the anti-terrorism financing law.
Justice Spokesperson Nicolas Felix Ty said this process does not need to hear the side of Rep. Teves first, since he could run away with his assets if he knew about the information firsthand.
Justice Spokesperson Nicolas Felix Ty said this process does not need to hear the side of Rep. Teves first, since he could run away with his assets if he knew about the information firsthand.
"Iyon ang proseso na nakalagay sa [Anti-Terrorism Act] at sa implementing rules na ang designation hindi kailangan na marinig ang panig ng dini-designate – ano ang dahilan dito? Kung alam na niya na idi-designate siya eh di itatakbo na niya iyong mga assets na matatamaan ng designation," Ty said.
"Iyon ang proseso na nakalagay sa [Anti-Terrorism Act] at sa implementing rules na ang designation hindi kailangan na marinig ang panig ng dini-designate – ano ang dahilan dito? Kung alam na niya na idi-designate siya eh di itatakbo na niya iyong mga assets na matatamaan ng designation," Ty said.
"Under the law there’s so many provisional remedies, so many processes in law that are actually ex parte and the legal system recognizes the legality of ex parte processes," he said.
"Under the law there’s so many provisional remedies, so many processes in law that are actually ex parte and the legal system recognizes the legality of ex parte processes," he said.
The justice official said there were still legal remedies to those branded as terrorists.
The justice official said there were still legal remedies to those branded as terrorists.
"Sa ATA at sa implementing rules ay madaming remedy ang mga designees kapag na-designate sila, in fact iyong mga previous na na-designate na dati ng ATA iyong mga related sa Maute, iyong mga related sa CPP-NPA they’ve availed of these remedies," he said.
"Sa ATA at sa implementing rules ay madaming remedy ang mga designees kapag na-designate sila, in fact iyong mga previous na na-designate na dati ng ATA iyong mga related sa Maute, iyong mga related sa CPP-NPA they’ve availed of these remedies," he said.
"I believe that the lawyers of some the designees will already look into these possible remedies, so they can just look no further than the ATA and the implementing rules and regulations."
"I believe that the lawyers of some the designees will already look into these possible remedies, so they can just look no further than the ATA and the implementing rules and regulations."
Teves is "not yet considered a fugitive," Department of Justice Deputy Spokesperson Mico Clavano said.
Teves is "not yet considered a fugitive," Department of Justice Deputy Spokesperson Mico Clavano said.
Clavano said the designation was "separate and distinct from a criminal action."
Clavano said the designation was "separate and distinct from a criminal action."
"It is only when you are issued a warrant of arrest that you become fugitive or your status becomes a fugitive. Right now, he is designated as a terrorist but that’s as far as we go," the justice official said.
"It is only when you are issued a warrant of arrest that you become fugitive or your status becomes a fugitive. Right now, he is designated as a terrorist but that’s as far as we go," the justice official said.
The government named Teves Jr. as a terrorist for allegedly masterminding the March 4 bloodbath that killed Gov. Roel Degamo and 9 others.
The government named Teves Jr. as a terrorist for allegedly masterminding the March 4 bloodbath that killed Gov. Roel Degamo and 9 others.
The council also named the embattled lawmaker as the leader of the "Teves Terrorist Group."
The council also named the embattled lawmaker as the leader of the "Teves Terrorist Group."
The Anti-Terrorism Council, in a statement, said the group's actions "sowed fear and intimidation among the residents" in Negros Oriental.
The Anti-Terrorism Council, in a statement, said the group's actions "sowed fear and intimidation among the residents" in Negros Oriental.
"The tragic incident on March 4, 2023... is a stark reminder of the threat posed by private armed groups within our country," it said.
"The tragic incident on March 4, 2023... is a stark reminder of the threat posed by private armed groups within our country," it said.
— With a report from Mike Navallo, ABS-CBN News
Read More:
Arnie Teves
Rep Arnolgo Teves
Negros Oriental
Anti-Terrorism Council
Anti-Money Laundering Council
terrorism
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