Arnie Teves back in Philippines

Former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.,  the alleged mastermind in the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, is back in the Philippines after being deported by authorities in Timor-Leste, where he sought asylum.

The plane carrying Teves from Timor-Leste landed in Davao City at 7:40 p.m. for a stopover early Thursday night.   It landed at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at past 11 p.m. Thursday.   From here, Teves was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila where he underwent booking procedure and medical examination.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. released a video statement on the deportation of the former lawmaker.

"The former representative, Rep. Arnie Teves is now back in the Philippines," Marcos said.

"As we know, the former congressman Arnie Teves is facing charges of murder and other crimes related to the ambush killing of the former governor Degamo. We would like also to assure our citizens that such lawlessness will not go unpunished," he added.

"It is now time for Arnie Teves to face justice," Marcos said.

Marcos said Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao informed him that Timor-Leste was ready to send Teves back to the Philippines.

"This would not have happened without the assistance of President Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao of Timor-Leste. They have been working very hard to bring this to conclusion," Marcos said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that Teves will likely be detained at one of the facilities of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) amid concerns for his safety.

Following this, he said Teves will be brought before the Philippine courts to be arraigned.

The former lawmaker is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges over the alleged killing of Degamo and 10 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. 

Teves’ legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, lamented that he was not allowed to meet with his client upon his arrival. 

“Nangako si Director Santiago ng NBI na pagdating ni Congressman Teves dito sa Villamor ay makakausap sa kaniyang mga abugado. So pwedeng makausap namin kung sino ang in-charge dito sa base,” he told the Air Force personnel at the gate of the Villamor Air Base. 

(NBI Director Santiago promised that Congressman Teves can speak with his lawyers upon his arrival. So can we talk to anyone who is in charge here in the base?) 

But the Air Force personnel at the gate claimed that Teves already got out of the airbase. 

“Hindi niyo kami pinapasok, hinayaan niyong makalabas yung kliyente namin. Tama? Ayun ang ginawa niyo di ba?” Topacio exclaimed to the personnel at the gate. 

(So you did not allow us to enter and just allowed our client to get out already, right? That’s what you’ve done?) 

“Nakalabas na? Hindi ako aalis dito nang hindi niyo ako sinasagot. Nakalabas na ba? Sabihin niyo lang sa akin kung nakalabas lang o hindi, confirm niyo lang,” he further asked the Air Force personnel. 

(Did he already get out? I will not get out of here until you answer me. Is he still there? Just tell me if he already got out or not, please confirm it.) 

The Air Force personnel eventually confirmed that Teves is no longer at the airbase. But he said that he had no idea where the former congressman was brought. 

Topacio said they will go next to the National Bureau of Investigation together with Teves’ mother to check if his client is there. 

“Kayo ay mga buhay na saksi kung paano very deceptive at very evasive ang ating mga awtoridad. Nangako si Director Santiago na papakausap…hindi natin ma-locate. Pupunta tayo sa tanggapan ng NBI,” he told reporters. 

(You all witnessed how deceptive and evasive our authorities are. Director Santiago promised that he will allow us to talk with him…but he cannot be located now. We will now go to NBI’s headquarters.) 

Topacio earlier said they will do anything to defend the former lawmaker. 

“Kami naman pong nasa defense team niya ay handa naman po kami na siya ay depensahan. Bagamat noon po, siya ay dalawang taon na nasa Dili sa Timor-Leste, hindi naman po kami nagpapahinga rito,” he told reporters while waiting at the airbase. 

(We, in his defense team, are ready to defend him. Although he had been in Dili, Timor-Leste, for two years, we did not stop here.) 

Topacio also said that Teves’ mother was also devastated by how her son was treated during the arrest, adding that the arrest can be considered a form of harassment. 

“Kahit naman sinong ina ay mababasag po, madudurog ang puso at ayun nga po ang kanyang hinaing bakit daw ginaganun ang kanyang anak. Samantalang sa ilalim naman ng ating Saligang Batas ay presumed innocent na parang hinihiya,” he said. 

(Any mother would be heartbroken, that's why she was complaining why his son was treated that way. Under our Constitution, he is considered presumed innocent but it’s like he’s being shamed.) 

Topacio previously maintained his client’s innocence, saying that his camp will avail all legal avenues.

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

(We believe that he is innocent and that we can now participate in court with the other co-counsels in order to take an active role in the proceedings.) —with a report from Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News

His legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, previously maintained his innocence, saying that his camp will avail all legal avenues.

“Nananalig po kami na wala siyang kasalanan and that kami po ngayon ay maaari na mag participate sa hukuman with the other co-counsels in order to take an active role in the proceedings,” Topacio previously said.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News