MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday clarified that House of Representatives Deputy Majority Leader Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. is not on the list of members of the terrorist group recently proscribed by authorities for acts of violence in Negros Oriental province.

“There is no connection to Congressman Jose ‘Bong’ Teves Jr. of the TGP Partylist. To reiterate, Congressman Jose ‘Bong’ Teves Jr. is not a member nor affiliated with the Teves Terrorist Group,” the DOJ said in a statement.

“In response to recent discussions, we wish to clarify the ATC’s (Anti-Terrorism Council) designation of the Teves Terrorist Group. The ATC’s action is targeted, based on credible intelligence. It solely involves Mr. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and Mr. Henry Pryde Teves,” the DOJ said.

Arnolfo, who has been expelled as representative of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental and remains in hiding, has been charged before the courts for his alleged involvement in a series of deaths in the province, including the killing last March 4 of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others.

His brother Henry had run against Degamo in the gubernatorial race and stepped down after the Supreme Court (SC) reversed his victory in the polls in February when the tribunal ordered that votes cast in favor of a nuisance candidate, “Ruel” Degamo, be counted in favor of Roel Degamo. (PNA)