Arnie Teves arrested, detained in Timor-Leste

Metro Manila, Philippines - Expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves was detained in Timor-Leste after the immigration police arrested him in his residence in the capital Dili, his counsel said on Wednesday, May 28.

Ferdinand Topacio said Teves, who is facing murder charges over the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, was taken by authorities on Tuesday, 8 p.m. (Dili time).

Teves and his counsel in Timor-Leste, Joao Serra, were held in the Ministry of the Interior compound.

Topacio said there was no warrant or any written authority shown during the arrest.

Teves’ camp has filed a writ of habeas corpus in Timor-Leste on Wednesday to prevent a possible forced return to the Philippines.

“Para sa amin po [For us], from the point of view of general provisions of international law, highly irregular din po ‘yung pag-aresto sa kanya [was Teves’ arrest] if the purpose of that arrest is to deport him,” he said in a virtual interview.

Topacio said Teves cannot be deported as an undocumented alien after his passport was canceled because the former lawmaker has a pending asylum application.

“He is a free man,” the counsel added. “Wala naman po siyang hinaharap ng krimen sa [He is not facing any crime in] Timor-Leste.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is awaiting the next steps of Timor-Leste as it is yet to receive communication from the Southeast Asian country.

“We are ready to arrange the transfer of custody by the most expeditious means once we are clarified on this issue,” the agency stated.

Meanwhile, Degamo’s widow and Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo said Teves’ arrest was a reminder that no one is above the law.

“We now look forward to the proper legal proceedings that will bring lasting peace to our province and long overdue justice for my beloved Roel and the hundreds of others who suffered at the hands of the Teves Terrorist Group,” she posted on social media.

In June last year, Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals granted the Philippine government’s request to extradite Teves, who appealed the decision. The court upheld its ruling and Teves appealed again. The court reversed its decision, which the DOJ appealed.