Ex-solon deported by Timor-Leste
EXPELLED representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. was brought back to the country yesterday after Timor-Leste decided to deport him for being a threat to its national security and interests, among others.
Teves is accused of masterminding the 2023 attack in Negros Oriental, which killed governor Roel Degamo and nine others. He has been staying in Timor-Leste pending approval of his asylum request. On Tuesday night, he was arrested by Timor authorities.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public no wrongdoing would go unpunished, saying it is time for Teves to “face justice.”
“The former representative, Rep. Arnie Teves is now back in the Philippines … As we know the former congressman Arnie Teves is facing charges of murder and other crimes related to the ambush killing of the former Governor Degamo,” the President said in a video message that was released to media shortly after Teves arrived in the country.
“We would like also to assure all our citizens that such lawlessness will not go unpunished. It is now time for Arnie Teves to face justice,” Marcos said.
The President said he was informed by Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Teves’ arrest on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Summit.
Marcos said he was told that Timor-Leste was ready to send Teves back to the Philippines.
“So, this would not have happened without the assistance of (Timor-Leste) President (Jose Ramos) Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao of Timor Leste. They have been working very hard to bring this to conclusion,” he added.
Teves deportation came two days after he was re-arrested by Timorese authorities in his residence in Dili.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, in confirming earlier yesterday Teves’ deportation, said in Filipino, “We will bring him home to face the charges so that he can answer all the allegations regarding the murder of Governor Degamo and others. We waited for two years and we thank the Lord that the day of reckoning has finally arrived.”
A Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves left Dili at around 2:40 p.m., Philippine time.
Teves was handcuffed and his feet were shackled.
National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago, who led the team that fetched Teves from Timor-Leste, was seen in a video talking with Timorese authorities.
Remulla said the team that the DOJ mobilized to facilitate Teves’ return is composed of officials from the DOJ, NBI, and the Bureau of Immigration.
Asked where Teves will be detained, Remulla said the joint team will discuss the details of the custody but he will probably be held in one of the NBI detention facilities, with Teves’ safety a “concern.”
Remulla assured the public no preferential treatment will be extended to Teves while his rights will be fully respected.
“We will make sure he is safe. But there will be no VIP treatment,” he added.
BOOKING PROCESS
Upon arrival at the Villamor Air Base, Remulla said, Teves will undergo health and medical checkup as part of the standard procedure and will also be booked.
Remulla said Teves also needs to be arraigned.
Teves has repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge on Degamo’s murder, but he refused to return to the country, saying he feared for his safety and that of his family.
Remulla also said he has yet to talk to Degamo’s widow, Pamplona town mayor and incoming Negros Oriental representative Janice Degamo.
Degamo said Teves’ deportation is long overdue in their family’s quest for justice.
“People of Negros Oriental let’s watch this together. This is what we have been waiting for. Justice. Justice. Justice,” Degamo said in a post on social media.
She earlier said the decision by Timor-Leste’s authorities to arrest Teves anew is a “significant step toward justice” not only for their family, but for Negros and the entire country.
“For over two years, our call has been clear and unwavering, that those responsible for this heinous crime must be held accountable, no matter how far they run or how long they hide. Let this serve as a reminder that no one is above the law,” she said.
Teves was first arrested in March last year also in Dili.
Degamo said their family is looking forward to facing Teves inside the courtroom someday.
“We now look forward to the proper legal proceedings that will bring lasting peace to our province and long overdue justice for my beloved Roel and the hundreds of others who suffered at the hands of the Teves terrorist group,” she added.
The Anti-Terrorism Council has tagged Teves, his brother Henry Clyde, and 11 others as terrorists for their alleged involvement in killings and other criminal activities in Negros.
On Wednesday, the spokesperson of Timor Leste’s government announced the deportation of Teves, saying his continued presence in the country is a threat to national security and public order.
It also cited the seriousness of the charges against him and the absence of any legal authorization for him to remain in their country after his passport was cancelled by the Philippine government and whose cancellation was upheld by a Manila court.
The administrative deportation decision, which takes immediate effect, includes a 10-year ban on re-entry.
The government of Timor-Leste also emphasized that harboring fugitives undermines efforts to combat transnational crime and disrupts diplomatic relations between sovereign states.
“The DOJ lauds this act of regional responsibility and reiterates its appreciation to the government of Timor-Leste for its commitment to justice, international rule of law, and regional stability,” Remulla further said.
