Siniguro ng pamahalaan na dumaan sa tama at mabusising proseso ang pagdi-deklara kay Congressman Arnulfo Teves at sa armed group nito bilang terorista.
Sa press briefing sa Malacañang, sinabi ni Justice Deputy Spokesperson Mico Clavano na mayroong mabigat na basehan ang designation na ito at kaya nila itong depensahan.
“We would have been afraid if there was no evidence. But ang sinasabi natin, may ebidensiya; nakita natin on the ground kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman ng mga tao sa Negros Oriental. Mayroon po tayong higit 50 na affidavits na nagsasabi na takot sila at iyong dahilan kung bakit ayaw gumalaw ng pulis ay dahil din sa takot. Although, of course, these are all, ano ‘no, these are all written down as affidavits, it just goes to show that there really is that widespread fear and intimidation present in Negros Oriental.” —Atty. Clavano.
Sabi ng opisyal ang hakbang na ito ng pamahalaan ay sumasalamin lamang sa commitment ng gobyerno na papanagutin ang mga indibidwal o grupo na gumagawa ng terrorism act at karahasanan na nagdu-dulot ng takot sa publiko.
“Premised on the assassination of Governor Degamo, rather the killing of Governor Degamo and his supporters helped the Anti-Terrorism Council established the pattern of violent activities that warrant his designation and that of his group as a terrorist organization.
Bukod kay Teves, idineklara rin bilang terorista sina:
Pryde Henry Teves
Marvin Miranda
Rogelio Antipolo
Rommel Pattaguan
Winrich Isturis
John Louie Gonyon
Dahniel Lora
Eulogio Gonyon
Tomasino Aledro
Nigel Electona
Jomarie Catubay
Hannah Mae Sumero Oray
“We’re doing this for the benefit of the people of Negros Oriental ‘no. Precisely the reason for the designation, aside from the freezing of the assets, ay matanggalan ng pangil iyong mga teroristang grupong ito in Negros Oriental. The people there are apparently living in a life of fear and intimidation na perpetrated by the Teves Terrorist Group.” —NSC Assist. DG Malaya.
Bukod sa mga ito, tinukoy rin bilang terorista sina:
Hafida Romato Maute, ang asawa ni dating Amir of the Islamic-East Asia, Abu Zacharia, at Nahara Khairiya Sittie Hamim, ang asawa ni Abu Mursid.
“For violation of Section IV, Section VI and facilitating the commission of terrorism under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.” —Atty. Clavano.| ulat ni Racquel Bayan
