Teves under Timor Leste police custody until deportation

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will remain under the custody of the Timor Leste police while the process for his deportation is ongoing, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Friday. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier confirmed that Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, was arrested by Timorese authorities while playing golf in Dili on Thursday at around 4 p.m. 

Drone footage from the NBI showed the Timor Leste police arresting the expelled lawmaker in a driving range, where he was seen wearing dark shorts, a white shirt, and a bull cap. 

“Ito po ay produkto o resulta ng matagal na pagco-coordinate natin at pakikipagtrabaho sa ating counterparts dito,” NBI Director Medardo de Lemos told John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report.

(This is the result of our coordination and cooperation with our counterparts here in Timor Leste.)

“Katulad ng kanilang commitment, pagdating natin ay aarestuhin. Two hours after we landed in Dili, Timor, ay inaresto na si Congressman Teves. Under detention na sa kanila ngayon,” de Lemos added. 

(Consistent with their commitment, they said they would arrest Teves after we landed. Two hours after our arrival, he was arrested and is now under detention.)

Led by de Lemos, a six-man NBI team arrived in Timor Leste for Teves’ arrest. The Timorese police initially refused but later provided a photo of the legislator while in detention.

“Kahapon pa nahirapan kami at ayaw pumayag ng mga local authorities dito dahil yun daw proseso nila. Pero kami ay nagpupumilit na kailangan may proof of life na siya nga ay nahuli nila at di binibigyan ng special treatment dito sa Timor Leste,” he said. 

(They refused to provide a photo yesterday but we insisted, saying we need proof of life and evidence that he is not being given special treatment.)

The group of NBI operatives also met with Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta where they thanked his government for taking action.

Teves is now under the Timor Leste police custody and will remain there amid his deportation.

Deportation proceedings in Timor Leste take around 40 days but the NBI and the DOJ are hoping for a speedier process given his case. 

The former legislator was placed on the red notice of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in February.

A red notice is a request for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending his extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Teves was last spotted in Timor-Leste in September 2023 after a chance encounter with a former senator. He also sought asylum in the country but was denied.

He is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges for the killing of Degamo and several others at the then-governor's home on March 4, 2023.

Aside from the murder of Degamo, Teves and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

Teves was designated as a terrorist along with 11 others by the Anti-Terrorism Council in August 2023 due to alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

Teves has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.