Arnie Teves released from house arrest in Timor Leste —Topacio

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. has been released from house arrest in Timor Leste, his lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said on Saturday. 

"We confirm the published reports appearing on Timor Leste (TL) media --  which have reached our country -- to the effect that Rep. Arnolfo Teves has been ordered released from house arrest by the tribunal conducting extradition proceedings relative to the request made by the Philippine government," Topacio said in a statement. 

Topacio, however, said that "certain conditions" were imposed for his release, "including regular reporting to a court officer and a commitment not to leave TL while the extradition case is pending, which conditions are customary in litigations of this nature."

"Otherwise, he has been restored to full liberty in accordance with the order of the TL high court's voiding of the preventing detention order due to defects in the extradition request," added Topacio. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also confirmed Teves' release from house arrest.

"The DOJ received a message from Central Authority of TL around midnight that the house arrest of Teves has concluded as of 7 p.m. Dili time (8 PM Manila time)," the DOJ said in a separate statement. 

"Per TL laws, a fugitive can only be detained/restricted for a maximum of 90 days. Fugitive Teves is able to leave his house but is being monitored by security forces. Land, sea, and air border authorities have been notified to ensure that Teves stays within Dili only," explained the DOJ.

"He also has to be presented to court every 2 days, while waiting for the decision of the Court of Appeal, which is expected to come out by next week. All of Teves’ documents are also in the possession of the security forces," added the DOJ. 

Degamo's widow, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo, expressed her dismay at the decision.

“‘Yung fear namin ‘pag lumayas siya diyan at pinakawalan siya na talagang free as a bird… We need that also mapapauwi siya at mapapanagot siya," she said in Jonathan Andal's report on ''24 Oras Weekend'' on Saturday. 

(Our fear is that he's out there like a free bird. He should be sent back to the country and held accountable.)

Flight risk

Teves was placed under house arrest by the Court of Appeals in Dili, Timor-Leste saying that he remains a "flight risk."

The court noted that Teves is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines and that he came to Timor-Leste by private plane in April 2023.

The Court noted that he lives in a rented house with a monthly rent of $10,000 with his wife and two children and has more than 20 employees, 10 of which were Filipino and 10 of which were Timorese.

The court also noted that he is working as a partner of a construction firm, whose owner gave him financial support. 

“Given the facts above, it is concluded that the risk of flight persists for the extraditee, especially since he has the financial means to leave Timor-Leste,” the Court said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier this week said that Teves' extradition trial has already concluded. 

Accusations

The trial before the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals stemmed from the request of the Philippine government to extradite Teves back to the Philippines over his alleged involvement in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others at the home of the then-governor on March 4, 2023. 

Teves has denied the accusations, saying that he was out of the country at the time of the attack. 

In September 2023, he was seen in Timor-Leste, where he sought asylum but was denied.

Teves and 12 others were also designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

In early February, a Manila court ordered the cancellation of his passport.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority. —with Sherylin Untalan/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News