Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr.  From Arnie A. Teves Congressman 3rd District Negros Oriental Facebook page

"Gaba" or karma has finally caught up with expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., according to the widow of slain Gov. Roel Degamo.

Teves, who is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the killing of Degamo and 5 others in March 2023, has been arrested in Timor-Leste while playing golf.   

"Talagang gaba yan, babalik sa iyo yung ginagawa mo," said Degamo's widow Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo.

"With the lifestyle that he has, hindi ako nasurprise dun sa natagpuan siya na nakatira dun sa area where there is a golf course," she told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Friday.

Marcos Jr. welcomes Teves arrest in Timor-Leste

Degamo said it felt like a thorn has been pulled out after hearing the news of Teves' arrest.

"Mas lalong tumitibay yung aming tinitingnan on a possibility of really getting the justice for the people we love who lose their lives at sa lahat ng biktima nila hindi lang sa mga kasama ni Roel na pinaslang kahit dun sa mga biktima ng land grabbing, victims of abuses na nag-suffer din sa mga kamay nila. Kaya napakalaking tinik ang nabunot," she said.

"Talagang walang mapag-lagyan yung aming joy that we feel. We keep on receiving yung call na nagpapasalamat, congratulate. Marami pong natutuwa.
I think, it is best to say Negros Oriental is rejoicing today."

Degamo said she will be waiting for news from the Department of Justice regarding Teves' repatriation.

DOJ: Teves safety a priority so he can face charges in PH 

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said officials of the National Bureau of Investigation are in Timor-Leste coordinating with local authorities to safely bring back Teves to the Philippines.

"The process in taking him home, 'yan hindi pa namin napaguusapan at hindi pa ako na-brief ng DOJ... we are looking forward to Arnie being able to go home and face the charges against him," she said.