NBI says they had hard time meeting Teves in Timor-Leste

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Medardo De Lemos on Monday said that they had a hard time meeting former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in Timor-Leste following his arrest.

De Lemos was part of the delegation of the NBI that went to Timor-Leste after Teves, who is facing murder charges in the Philippines, was arrested while playing golf last week.

“Medyo mahirap ‘yung naging proseso nung araw na ‘yun, first day na ‘yun. Akala namin bibigay na ‘yung opportunity na makunan ng picture… Maraming ganong challenges na medyo sa tingin namin ay mahirap,” he said in a briefing.

(The process was very hard during that first day. We thought that we would be given the opportunity to take a picture. There are many challenges like that which we would describe as difficult.)

“Kinabukasan attempt ulit. Mukhang nararamdaman namin na talagang pinapahirapan kami,” he added.

(We made another attempt the following day. That’s when we felt that they were making things difficult for us.)

Following this, he said they asked Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta to allow them to take a photograph of Teves for their report to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. 

Once they were able to meet Teves, De Lemos said the former lawmaker told him that he was scared to return to the Philippines. 

“Natatakot siya na baka daw may mangyaring masama sa kanya (he’s afraid that something may happen to him),” De Lemos said.

“Ang sabi ko naman sa kanya, sir yan ang naging commitment namin kay President Horta at commitment ng agency yan, committment namin sa inyo na walang mangyayaring masama sa inyo kapag sumama na at naibalik na kayo sa Pilipinas.”

(I told him, sir, that is our commitment to President Horta and that's the commitment of the agency, our commitment to you that nothing will happen if you return with us.)

He also described Teves as “very healthy.”

Meanwhile, De Lemos said they were told that the court process in Timor-Leste will take seven to 40 days.

He said they are also preparing if Teves will be allowed to return.

Meanwhile, De Lemos said the DOJ is also preparing something.

“May pineprepare silang position ng NBI. may sinasabi siyang rendition sabi nya parang  extradition na rendition parang reciprocity and comity. Hindi ko alam kaya hindi ako makapag sabi ng sigurado diyan,” he said.

Earlier, Teves’ legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said their camp was “ready for anything.” 

Charges

Teves was arrested based on the INTERPOL red notice issued against him in February. A red notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

He is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges for the killing of Degamo and several others at the 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 and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

The former lawmaker has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

In early February, a Manila Court ordered the cancellation of his passport.

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