Former Negros Oriental third district congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. will either be repatriated or deported, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

His return to the country is processed by authorities in Timor-Leste and the Philippines after his arrest on March 21, 2024 in Dili, Timor-Leste.

“Dahil wala po tayong extradition treaty with Timor-Leste, we will have to go through other channels by which to have him brought back here to the Philippines. That may be in the form of repatriation or deportation, whichever the case may be,” Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, DOJ spokesperson, said in a GMA Integrated News interview.

Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of slain governor Roel Degamo, wrote in a post of her feelings about the arrest.

"We already confirmed that the mastermind of my husband's murder has finally been captured by Timor Leste police. Words cannot express how it feels to finally see the man who terrorized our province and brutally murdered my husband surrounded by police. Dalaygon ang buhi nga Dios (praise be to the living God)!" the mayor's post reads.

Teves was arrested in Timor-Leste based on Interpol red notice. 

The Interpol, National Central Bureau of Dili, and East Timorese Police arrested Teves while he was playing golf in Dili at around 4 p.m., DOJ said.

“Alam na po natin kung ano ‘yung general location ni former congressman Teves, at ito po ‘yung isa sa mga lugar na nagkaroon ng sighting. Matagal na ho natin tong hinihintay, but we are proud to say that we went through the right processes,” ASec Clavano said.

As of posting time, Teves’ legal counsel has not issued a statement yet. 

Teves has repeatedly denied vehemently all accusations against him.

Teves is a person on the Wanted List in the Philippines.

Upon his return, he is set to face charges for murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder in relation to the Degamo slay on March 4, 2023; and other murder charges perpetrated allegedly in 2019.

In August 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council has also designated Teves as a terrorist along with 11 others. 

The House of Representatives expelled Teves, also in August 2023, for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.