Teves back in PH
Metro Manila, Philippines - A former lawmaker wanted for the murder of a governor and nine others is back in the country from Timor-Leste.
Deported from the Southeast Asian neighbor, ex-Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves boarded a military aircraft which took off at 2:40 p.m. (Philippine time) on Thursday, May 29.
He sought political asylum for two years.
The Presidential Communications Office said the aircraft first landed in Davao at 7:27 p.m. to refuel. It arrived at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at 11:18 p.m., state media PTV reported.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Panginoon at ito na ‘yung hinihintay namin na reckoning at dapat harapin talaga ‘yung mga charges sa kanya,” Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a chance interview before Teves’ arrival.
[Translation: We thank the Lord because this is the reckoning that we have been waiting for. He should face the charges against him.]
“Sana naman ay dumating na ‘yung panahon na ang hustisya ay maghari sa ating bansa at ito’y isang malaking hakbang patungo sa pagpapatupad ng hustisya sa atin,” he said.
[Translation: I hope the time comes that justice prevails in our country, and this is a huge step toward serving justice.]
After his arrival at the Villamor Air Base, he will be transported to the National Bureau of Investigation to undergo necessary processes such as a medical check up.
He will be detained at the New Bilibid Prison.
Timor-Leste’s immigration police arrested Teves in his residence in the capital Dili on Wednesday. He was detained in the Ministry of the Interior.
Timor-Leste ordered for his deportation, saying his stay in the country “might be viewed as a refuge for individuals fleeing international justice undermines the integrity of our borders and our shared efforts to combat transnational crime.”
Teves’ camp applied for a writ of habeas corpus in an attempt to stop his return to the Philippines. His counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, said it was granted but the deportation proceeded nonetheless. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, however, said no writ was granted.
Teves’ camp said they have been preparing for their client’s appearance before the Manila court even before he was deported.
“We are studying, collating evidence, and we are more than ready to defend him now that he’s coming back to the Philippines, considering the weakness of the case of the prosecution na lahat po ng testigo laban kay [in which all witnesses against] Congressman Teves ay inatras na nila ang kanilang mga testimonya laban sa kanya [recanted their testimonies],” Teves' lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told reporters in a virtual interview.
The former lawmaker is facing multiple charges including 13 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder for crimes committed between 2019 and 2023.
