Arnie Teves on reported return to Philippines: Fake news

Suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. on Wednesday refuted the claim of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla that he is returning back to the Philippines within the day.

"Fake News ang balitang uuwi ako. Sana tinanong muna nila ako bago sila nagbitiw ng salita," Teves said in a message sent to GMA Integrated News.

(The reports that I am going home is fake news. They should have asked me first before they made the announcement.)

Remulla, citing a "reliable source" who may have access to flight data into the country, on Tuesday said Teves may be coming home from Timor Leste, where his bid for political asylum was previously rejected.

“No comment na ako. I'll just let events speak for themselves... Let's see how reliable Kuya Boying's information is,” Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves' lawyer, told GMA Integrated News in a text message.

The Justice secretary earlier said that Teves appears to be the main mastermind in the March 4 shooting at the home of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo that led to the death of 10 people and the injuries of several others.

Teves has yet to return to the Philippines, citing concerns about his safety.

Political asylum?

Asked whether he is applying for political asylum in Timor-Leste, Teves said the question should be directed to Remulla instead.

“Tanungin mo na lang si Boying, alam niya siguro ‘yun. Mas marami siyang alam sa akin eh,” Teves said in an interview early Wednesday morning with Radyo Pilipinas.

(Just ask Boying, he probably knows that. He knows more than me.)

On May 9, Remulla revealed that the Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste informed them that Teves is in Dili, where he applied for a protection visa with the intent of asylum.

The same day, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that the Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste confirmed that Teves’ application was denied. It said Teves was granted five days to either leave the country or file an appeal.

The National Bureau of Investigation is expected to file murder complaints against Teves on Wednesday.

According to Remulla, 10 murder complaints will be filed against Teves as 10 people died in the incident. Aside from these, several other complaints of multiple frustrated murders and multiple attempted murders will also be filed. —KG, GMA Integrated News