Teves deported from Timor-Leste | ABS-CBN
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Teves deported from Timor-Leste
ABS-CBN News
Published May 29, 2025 02:48 PM PHT
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Updated May 29, 2025 06:23 PM PHT
Embattled Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. ABS-CBN News/File
Embattled Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. ABS-CBN News/File MANILA (UPDATED) — Former congressman Arnolfo Teves was deported from Timor Leste on Thursday, 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.
MANILA (UPDATED) — Former congressman Arnolfo Teves was deported from Timor Leste on Thursday, 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.
A Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves left Timor-Leste at around 2:42 p.m.
A Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves left Timor-Leste at around 2:42 p.m.
Teves was detained at a driving range in Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition.
Teves was detained at a driving range in Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition.
In an abrupt turnaround, Timor-Leste late on Wednesday announced Teves' impending deportation, saying his continued presence represented a security risk.
In an abrupt turnaround, Timor-Leste late on Wednesday announced Teves' impending deportation, saying his continued presence represented a security risk.
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"The Government hereby informs that Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be deported from Timor-Leste," it said in a statement, using the country's alternate name.
"The Government hereby informs that Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be deported from Timor-Leste," it said in a statement, using the country's alternate name.
It added that Timor-Leste’s "imminent full accession" to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters.
It added that Timor-Leste’s "imminent full accession" to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters.
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said upon arrival in the Philippines, Teves will be put under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said upon arrival in the Philippines, Teves will be put under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
He will also be treated as a normal person deprived of liberty, and will undergo normal booking procedures.
He will also be treated as a normal person deprived of liberty, and will undergo normal booking procedures.
Teves has denied any hand in the murder of Degamo.
Teves has denied any hand in the murder of Degamo.
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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.
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.
The killings came months after Degamo was declared winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker's brother.
The killings came months after Degamo was declared winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker's brother.
Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges.
Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges.
On Wednesday, Teves' son Axl posted videos on social media of his father being dragged away by Timorese police, claiming he had been "kidnapped".
On Wednesday, Teves' son Axl posted videos on social media of his father being dragged away by Timorese police, claiming he had been "kidnapped".
Degamo's widow Pamplona mayor Janice called the arrest a "significant step toward justice".
Degamo's widow Pamplona mayor Janice called the arrest a "significant step toward justice".
More details to follow.
— With reports from Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse
— With reports from Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News; Agence France-Presse
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