Arnie Teves arrested in Timor-Leste —DOJ

Former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, has been arrested by authorities in Timor-Leste, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Thursday night. 

According to the DOJ, Teves was arrested while playing golf in Dili at 4 p.m. He is now under the custody of the Timorese police.

The arrest came a few weeks after the first death anniversary of the late governor and the other victims who were killed on March 4, 2023, when armed men barged into his home in Barangay San Isidro in Pamplona own and shot him in the middle of aid distribution.

Nine persons died in the attack.

“Words cannot express how it feels to finally see the man who terrorized our province and brutally murdered my husband surrounded by police,” said Degamo's widow Pamplona, Negros Occidental Mayor Janice Degamo in a Facebook post.

Teves was placed on the red notice of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in February.

A red notice is a request for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending his extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

"Today's apprehension of Teves is a testament to the power of international cooperation," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement. 

"It sends a clear message that no terrorist can evade justice and that nations stand united in safeguarding the safety and security of their citizens,” he added.

The DOJ said the Interpol's National Central Bureau in Dili is coordinating with a team from the NCB in Manila and the Philippine Embassy in Dili on Teves’ extradition to the Philippines.

The Interpol is an inter-governmental organization that helps police authorities in member countries to work together.

In each country, an Interpol NCB provides the central point of contact for the general secretariat and other NCBs.

An NCB is run by national police officials and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing.

“The capture of Teves only proves that through concerted efforts and determination, terrorism can be thwarted and peace preserved,” Remulla said. 

He also urged Teves to face his trial without setting any conditions.

Teves was last spotted in Timor-Leste in September 2023 after a chance encounter with a former senator. He also sought asylum in the country but was denied.

He is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges for the killing of Degamo and several other at the then-governor's home on March 4, 2023.

Aside from the murder of Degamo, Teves and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

Teves was designated as a terrorist along with 11 others by the Anti-Terrorism Council in August 2023 due to alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

Teves has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority. —NB, GMA Integrated News