(ABANTE) Nanawagan si Senador Jinggoy Estrada kay suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. na isuko ang sarili sa batas.
Ito’y matapos mabansagan si Teves ng Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) kasama ang 12 bilang mga terorista dahil sa serye ng patayan at harassment sa Negros Oriental.
“As a colleague of Rep. Teves, I implore him to submit himself to the rule of law and take this opportunity to defend himself, present evidence to clear his name, and have the charges expunged through the appropriate legal procedures,” pahayag ni Estrada.
“Naniniwala ako na mananaig ang katotohanan sa issue na ito kung paiiralin ang fair, transparent at impartial na legal proceedings,” dagdag niya.
Sa pagdekalra kina Teves bilang terorista, hiniling din ni Estrada na ang paghahabol ng hustisya sa mga ‘acts of terrorism’ ay mahalagang may paggalang pa rin sa karapatang pantao at pagtiyak sa pagsunod sa due process.
“It is crucial to ensure that any measures taken by the government to combat terrorism do not infringe upon individuals’ fundamental rights and liberties. Striking a balance between security concerns and the protection of human rights is vital in upholding democratic values and the rule of law,” ani Estrada.
Kung may sapat umanong ebidensiya na susuporta sa alegasyon laban kay Teves, dapat ibigay ang nararapat na hustisya pamamagitan ng fair at impartial na legal na proseso.
“If evidence supports their involvement in such criminal activities, they should be brought to justice through a fair and impartial legal process. Like those similarly situated, Rep. Teves should be accorded the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt by a competent court,” ayon pa kay Estrada. (Dindo Matining)