'We were shocked': Arnolfo Teves arrested in Timor-Leste | ABS-CBN
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'We were shocked': Arnolfo Teves arrested in Timor-Leste
'We were shocked': Arnolfo Teves arrested in Timor-Leste
Published May 28, 2025 07:58 AM PHT
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Updated May 28, 2025 05:01 PM PHT
Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. gives a statement regarding alleged threats his camp discovered back in January. Courtesy of Arnolfo Teves Jr. Facebook page/File
Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. gives a statement regarding alleged threats his camp discovered back in January. Courtesy of Arnolfo Teves Jr. Facebook page/FileMANILA (UPDATED) — Expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. was arrested Tuesday night in his residence in Dili, Timor-Leste, his son Axl Teves said in a Facebook video Wednesday.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. was arrested Tuesday night in his residence in Dili, Timor-Leste, his son Axl Teves said in a Facebook video Wednesday.
Arnolfo, who was representative of Negros Oriental's Third District, is currently in the said country after being tagged as the mastermind in the slay of Governor Roel Degamo in 2023.
Arnolfo, who was representative of Negros Oriental's Third District, is currently in the said country after being tagged as the mastermind in the slay of Governor Roel Degamo in 2023.
In a 10-second video, Arnolfo was seen being forced out of his residence by individuals believed to be Timor-Leste's police and immigration officers.
In a 10-second video, Arnolfo was seen being forced out of his residence by individuals believed to be Timor-Leste's police and immigration officers.
"They just picked him up without documents, without warrants or any form of legal documents. They just came in forcefully, took him out forcefully," claimed Axl Teves in the video.
"They just picked him up without documents, without warrants or any form of legal documents. They just came in forcefully, took him out forcefully," claimed Axl Teves in the video.
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He also pointed out that Teves had already won the extradition case before the Timor-Leste court.
He also pointed out that Teves had already won the extradition case before the Timor-Leste court.
"The Timorese Court ruled in favor of my father, supposed to be he should be in Timor living peacefully and safety but we were shocked that just last night he was illegally kidnapped and illegally detained," added Axl Teves.
"The Timorese Court ruled in favor of my father, supposed to be he should be in Timor living peacefully and safety but we were shocked that just last night he was illegally kidnapped and illegally detained," added Axl Teves.
Teves also allegedly sustained injuries from the arrest.
Teves also allegedly sustained injuries from the arrest.
His camp has called the attention of the United Nations to the alleged unlawful arrest.
His camp has called the attention of the United Nations to the alleged unlawful arrest.
Lusa, a Portuguese news agency, also confirmed the arrest.
Lusa, a Portuguese news agency, also confirmed the arrest.
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Teves was with his Portuguese lawyer during the apprehension.
Teves was with his Portuguese lawyer during the apprehension.
Ferdinand Topacio, one of Teves' lawyers, later confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying his client was with his Timor-Leste counsel, Joao Serra, when he was taken by the immigration police.
Ferdinand Topacio, one of Teves' lawyers, later confirmed the arrest in a statement, saying his client was with his Timor-Leste counsel, Joao Serra, when he was taken by the immigration police.
He also said that there was "no warrant or any written authority" shown to Teves and Serra — who were "a little harmed," according to Axl — during the arrest.
He also said that there was "no warrant or any written authority" shown to Teves and Serra — who were "a little harmed," according to Axl — during the arrest.
Topacio said the two were detained in the compound of the Ministry of the Interior.
Topacio said the two were detained in the compound of the Ministry of the Interior.
DOJ SAYS COMMITTED TO BRING ARNOLFO TO JUSTICE
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said that there was no communication from the Timor-Leste government on the reported arrest of Arnolfo. The DOJ has initiated extradition proceedings in Timor-Leste for Arnolfo to face his multiple murder cases in the Philippines. “We emphasize that the Philippine government has not been furnished with any legal or official document on the matter,” the DOJ said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said that there was no communication from the Timor-Leste government on the reported arrest of Arnolfo. The DOJ has initiated extradition proceedings in Timor-Leste for Arnolfo to face his multiple murder cases in the Philippines. “We emphasize that the Philippine government has not been furnished with any legal or official document on the matter,” the DOJ said in a statement.
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The DOJ nonetheless welcomes the recent pronouncements of the Timor-Leste government, following the reversal of its Court of Appeal decision to extradite Arnolfo.
The DOJ nonetheless welcomes the recent pronouncements of the Timor-Leste government, following the reversal of its Court of Appeal decision to extradite Arnolfo.
“While we welcome the recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste indicating a renewed position that Mr. Teves should not remain in their territory, we await their action—whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,” the DOJ said.
“While we welcome the recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste indicating a renewed position that Mr. Teves should not remain in their territory, we await their action—whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,” the DOJ said.
The DOJ reiterated that the Philippine government is prepared to bring him back to the country. “We remain ready and committed to bring Mr. Teves to justice in accordance with the rule of law and the principles of international cooperation,” the DOJ said.
The DOJ reiterated that the Philippine government is prepared to bring him back to the country. “We remain ready and committed to bring Mr. Teves to justice in accordance with the rule of law and the principles of international cooperation,” the DOJ said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police is ready to assist the DOJ in detaining Teves Jr., once he is brought back to the country.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police is ready to assist the DOJ in detaining Teves Jr., once he is brought back to the country.
However, PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil clarified that they have yet to receive a formal request of assistance from the justice department.
However, PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil clarified that they have yet to receive a formal request of assistance from the justice department.
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"Meron naman po kaming security escort dito. Sabi ko nga, let us prepare ang custodial facility natin in case na kailangan po ng DOJ," said Marbil.
"Meron naman po kaming security escort dito. Sabi ko nga, let us prepare ang custodial facility natin in case na kailangan po ng DOJ," said Marbil.
DEGAMO WIDOW WELCOMES THE ARREST
In a statement posted on Facebook, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo welcomed the developments in Timor-Leste.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo welcomed the developments in Timor-Leste.
“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 said.
“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 said.
“He has been claiming he has nothing to do with the murder so there is nothing wrong [with] coming home and facing justice. No one has to be above the law,” Degamo added in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. -- with a report from Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News
“He has been claiming he has nothing to do with the murder so there is nothing wrong [with] coming home and facing justice. No one has to be above the law,” Degamo added in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. -- with a report from Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News
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