The camp of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnie Teves slammed the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) to tag him and 12 others as terrorists.
Lawyer Ferdie Topacio said that it was mere weaponization of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). Nevertheless, they said they are unmoved.
“This latest act on the part of the government against our client, Rep. Arnolfo Teves, comes as no surprise. Since Day One of the Degamo killing, the government has mobilized all the resources at its disposal — starting with immediately tagging Mr. Teves as the mastermind thereof without investigation, conducting illegal searches on his properties, laying siege to his powers and prerogatives as member of the House, embarking on a massive media campaign to discredit him and prejudice the minds of the public against him, among others – all in an obsessive attempt to blame him for a crime at the expense of his Constitutional rights,” Topacio said in a statement issued Tuesday.
Topacio lamented that the use of the ATA to Teves was not the real intent of the law.
“It is thus a sad day for the Rule of Law in this country, and a shocking reminder that even under constitutional and republican regime, the return to a government of men and not of laws can always ensue, especially for those targeted for destruction by the present dispensation,” Teves’ lawyer said.
“This development should send shivers down the spine of every citizen, for the liberties of none are safe unless the liberties of all are protected,” he added.
