Deported Arnie Teves on His Way Back to PH to Face Murder Charges - Press Press PH

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

Metro Manila, Philippines — Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is being flown back to the Philippines following his deportation from Timor-Leste, where he had sought refuge from multiple murder charges, his legal counsel confirmed Thursday, May 29.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said Teves has boarded a Philippine government aircraft arranged to facilitate his return. This comes after Timorese authorities, in coordination with Philippine officials, took custody of the embattled lawmaker and his local counsel Joao Serra on Wednesday.

Teves had been staying in Timor-Leste for over two years despite holding a canceled passport and lacking a valid visa. He previously applied for political asylum there in an attempt to evade arrest for the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and the killing of nine others in March 2023. He also faces a string of other serious criminal charges, including 13 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder for incidents dating back to 2019.

In a strongly worded statement, the Timor Leste government explained its decision, saying Teves' prolonged stay had become a diplomatic liability.

“His extended stay in Timor Leste poses a disruptive factor in bilateral relations between the two States and establishes a serious precedent with potential implications for internal security,” the statement read. “The perception that Timor-Leste might be viewed as a refuge for individuals fleeing international justice undermines the integrity of our borders and our shared efforts to combat transnational crime.”

Topacio criticized Philippine authorities for what he called a lack of transparency regarding his client’s repatriation. “I have dispatched representatives to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Immigration, and National Bureau of Investigation to gather details about Mr. Teves’ arrival,” he told reporters. “We hope that the heads of these agencies will demonstrate at least a minimal sense of legal obligation or basic decency to provide us with the information we are entitled to as his legal counsel.”

Meanwhile, the DOJ confirmed that it has mobilized a joint task force to coordinate with Timorese counterparts for Teves’ return.

“As we await the arrival of Mr. Teves, the Philippine Government assures both the public and the international community that due process will be strictly followed, and that the pursuit of justice will remain impartial and unwavering,” the agency said in an official statement.

Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 for “acts detrimental to the reputation of the chamber,” following his continued absence and failure to return to the country despite repeated summons.

His arrival is expected to mark a major development in the high-profile Degamo murder case, which has gripped national attention and raised urgent questions about political violence, impunity, and the rule of law in the Philippines.