Since graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1994, Cpt. Teves has been on various assignments in Mindanao. He joined the 1st Infantry (TABAK) division, practicing his Armed Occupational Specialty (AFOS) as Signal Officer. He was also assigned with the 33rd Infantry Battalion in Libertad, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay Province as Platoon Leader, Executive officer, Intelligence Officer, a
nd eventually as Commanding Officer of "A" and "C" Companies. Apol's expertise was on jungle survival, airborne, intelligence, OST and human rights. In 2001, he neutralized the most dreaded MILF commander and notorious kidnapper, Akidin Abdusalam, a move which became one of his most significant achievements in military career. While in Mindanao, he became a recipient of 10 Bronze crosses, 18 military merit medals, 2 silver wing medals, Gawad sa Kaunlaran, and various commendations and Plaques of Appreciation. On September 25, 2002, the Southern Command set a special mission to uncover an island where the Abu Sayaff ransom money was kept. Sources said, Capt. Teves, being the Assigned Intelligence Officer, was not supposed to be in the actual mission but since it was his project he volunteered to go and "complete" it. He commanded a 16-man joint army-navy troop towards Tangkataan Island in Jolo. The encounter happened around 1 hour after they sailed off and the whole troop scattered. Wounded, he instructs the Army Sergeant Duran who was with him to go and ask for rescue lest both of them die. Rescue was apparently sent right away but they lost track of where to find him. At around 10:30 a.m. on September 27, Capt. Teves' body was found just right where the sergeant left him: facing downwards, hands clutching the cross, body bloated and in advanced stage of decomposition….
