Teves deported from Timor-Leste

Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others, on Thursday afternoon was deported from Timor-Leste to the Philippines.

National Bureau of Investigation Director Jimmy Santiago was seen with Timor-Leste officials before Teves was brought out of the building.

Teves’ hands were handcuffed and his feet were shackled. He was accompanied by authorities to the Philippine Air Force plane.

The plane carrying the former lawmaker left Timor-Leste past 2:40 p.m. (Philippine time).

“He’s already in Philippine custody, in the custody of our government. And we'll bring him home so he can face the charges. I-uwi natin siya para maharap niya, harapin ang lahat ng mga paratang sa kanya,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(He’s already in Philippine custody, in the custody of our government. And we’ll bring him home so he can face the charges. We will bring him home so he can face all the allegations against him.)

“Naghintay kami ng dalawang taon para mangyari ito at nagpapasalamat tayo sa Panginoon na ito na, ito na ang hinihintay namin na reckoning at dapat niya harapin talaga ang mga charges sa kanya,” he added.

(We waited two years for this to happen, and we thank the Lord that this is it, this is the reckoning we’ve been waiting for, and he really must face the charges against him.)

The Justice secretary said the plane will land at Villamor Air Base. Teves will then be brought to the NBI and then the court.

“Baka ano muna, health check muna sa NBI muna, NBI doctors… The next day, probably, weekend na eh, so dadalhin ‘yan sa court, sa next hearing,” Remulla said.

(Maybe a health check first with NBI doctors… The next day, probably, since it’s the weekend, he will be brought to court at the next hearing.)

Regarding Teves’ custody, Remulla said it is likely that he will be detained at one of the facilities of the NBI for his safety.

“‘Yung safety niya ‘yung aming concern kaya malamang one of the NBI facilities that we prepared. Marami na tayong hinanda na detention facility,” he said.

(His safety is our concern, so it’s likely that one of the NBI facilities we prepared will be used. We’ve already prepared several detention facilities.)

Teves was arrested by Immigration police on Tuesday evening.

Last night, the Timor-Leste government said it will deport Teves as he has been in the country without a valid visa and legal autorization to stay.

The former lawmaker is facing multiple murder charges over the killing of  Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

Teves and others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence.

Irregular

Meanwhile, Teves’ legal counsel in the Philippines, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, decried the deportation, alleging that it is irregular.

“Malaking kamote ang nangyari,” Topacio said in a Zoom briefing.

He said that their camp has filed a habeas corpus petition before the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal, and it was later granted.

“Dito po nag issue po ng order ang Tribunal de Recursos ng Timor-Leste na sinasabing within 48 hours ay i-produce, i-harap sa hukuman si Congressman Teves upang magpaliwanag ang authorities ng Timor-Leste, executive authorities, kung bakit siya inaresto,” he said.

(The Tribunal de Recursos of Timor-Leste issued an order requiring that within 48 hours, Congressman Teves be presented before the court so that the executive authorities of Timor-Leste can explain why he was arrested.)

“Ngunit ito ay magiging moot and academic ngayong siya ay ilalabas na ng Timor-Leste at ibabalik na sa Pilipinas,” he added.

(However, this will become moot and academic now that he is set to be brought out of Timor-Leste and returned to the Philippines.)

Topacio reiterated that their law office has coordinated with Philippine authorities regarding Teves’ arrival.

He said they have yet to receive any information.

Topacio, meanwhile, said their camp will avail all legal avenues.

“Nananalig po kami na wala siyang kasalanan and that kami po ngayon ay maaari na magparticipate sa hukuman with the other co-counsels in order to take an active role in the proceedings,” he said.

(We firmly believe that he is innocent, and we can now participate in court alongside the other co-counsels to take an active role in the proceedings.)

Fight vs. terrorism

Meanwhile, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) welcomed Teves’ return, saying it marks a development in the country’s fight against terrorism, impunity, and politically motivated violence.

“We commend the Government of Timor-Leste for recognizing the seriousness of the charges and their potential impact on regional stability,” the ATC said in a separate statement.

“Their decision aligns with the spirit of international cooperation and ASEAN solidarity in upholding the rule of law,” it added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News