MANILA, Philippines — Former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. pleaded “not guilty” Thursday to charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 12.

In a PNA report, it said that Judge Renato Enciso entered the plea on Teves’ behalf after the accused invoked his right to remain silent during the arraignment.

The charges stem from a March 2023 raid at Teves’ residence in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, where authorities reportedly seized firearms, explosives, and ammunition.

Following the arraignment, the court proceeded with the pre-trial and scheduled the formal trial hearings, with the next hearing set for July 29. Subsequent hearings are expected to continue until 2027.

Teves appeared in court under heavy security, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet. After the proceedings, he was returned to the National Bureau of Investigation custodial facility inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Aside from the illegal firearms case, Teves is facing multiple murder and frustrated murder charges in various courts. These include 10 counts of murder related to the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, filed at Manila RTC Branch 51 in 2023.

He is also facing four counts of attempted murder at the same court, a separate murder case at Manila RTC Branch 12, another murder case at Branch 15, and a murder case at Bayawan RTC Branch 63.

Furthermore, Teves is charged with multiple offenses under the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act at Quezon City RTC Branch 77.