Daven Tamayo

Teves back from Timor-Leste 2 years after Degamo slay

Article (news)

Jamaine Punzalan

Carmelle Lacuata

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p><strong>(2nd UPDATE)</strong> Former congressman Arnolfo Teves arrived in the Philippines from Timor Leste on Thursday night, some two years after he was tagged as the alleged mastermind of a March 2023 attack that killed then-Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.</p><p>The Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves landed in Davao around 7:30 p.m. to refuel before flying to Villamor Airbase in Metro Manila.</p><p>The aircraft arrived in Villamor Airbase past 11 p.m.</p><p>“Former representative, Representative Arnie Teves, is now back in the Philippines,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed in a video statement Thursday. </p><p>According to Marcos, he first learned of Timor Leste’s plan to send Teves back to the Philippines from Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Kuala Lumpur. </p><p>“This would not have happened without the assistance of President Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao of Timor Leste. They have been working very hard to bring this to conclusion,” Marcos added.</p><p>The President likewise said it is now time for Teves to face justice.</p><p>“I would like also to assure all our citizens that such lawlessness will not go unpunished, and it is now time for Arnie Teves to face justice,” Marcos said.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5il_cLrSx0A??si=4CgS1oJEjyHsoKj5&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Teves was detained at a driving range in Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition.</p><p>In an abrupt turnaround, Timor-Leste late on Wednesday announced Teves&#x27; impending deportation, saying his continued presence represented a security risk.</p><p>It added that Timor-Leste’s &quot;imminent full accession&quot; to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters.</p><div> </div><div><strong>MIRANDA RIGHTS</strong></div><div> </div><p>Teves has been read his Miranda Rights while aboard a Philippine Air Force plane.</p><p>In a video provided by the Presidential Communications Office, an NBI personnel can be seen and heard reading Teves’ Miranda rights and enumerating the charges against him.</p><p>“You are under arrest by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Manila Court on (sic) September 2023 for 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, 4 counts of attempted murder,” the NBI personnel said.</p><p>“In addition to that, a 2024 warrant of arrest was issued against you by the Dumaguete court for murder, for illegal possession of explosives, for illegal possession of firearms and for the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act,” he added.</p><p>The NBI personnel went on to inform Teves about his rights to remain silent and avail of a legal counsel.</p><p>“Ginoong Arnulfo Teves Jr., kayo po ay may karapatang malaman ang inyong karapatan. At ito po ang mga sumusunod: Kayo ay may karapatan tumahimik. Ano man ang sasabihin mo ay maaaring gamitin sa&#x27;yo o laban sa&#x27;yo sa hukuman; Kayo ay may karapatan kumuha at pumili ng abogado at kung wala po kayong kakayanan kumuha ng abogado, bibigyan ho kayo ng ating gobyerno,” he stated.</p><p>Teves, seen in handcuffs, nodded when asked if he fully understands his rights.</p><p>Teves has denied any hand in the murder of Degamo. </p><p>Degamo had been distributing aid at his home in Pamplona when six people carrying rifles and dressed in military fatigues entered the compound and opened fire on March 4, 2023.</p><p>The killings came months after Degamo was declared winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker&#x27;s brother.</p><p>Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges. </p><p>On Wednesday, Teves&#x27; son Axl posted videos on social media of his father being dragged away by Timorese police, claiming he had been &quot;kidnapped&quot;.Degamo&#x27;s widow Pamplona mayor Janice called the arrest a &quot;significant step toward justice&quot;.</p><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>Former congressman Arnolfo Teves arrived in the Philippines from Timor Leste on Thursday night, some two years after he was tagged as the alleged mastermind of a March 2023 attack that killed then-Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others. </p>

Former congressman Arnolfo Teves arrived in the Philippines from Timor Leste on Thursday night, some two years after he was tagged as the alleged mastermind of a March 2023 attack that killed then-Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.