DOJ, inihayag kahandaan sa pag-uwi ni Arnie Teves para harapin kaso ng Degamo Massacre

- The Philippines’ Department of Justice has expressed its readiness for the possible return of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.

- The DOJ, in a statement, reiterated its readiness to facilitate the return of the former lawmaker from Timor-Leste to face multiple murder charges, including his alleged role in the Degamo assassination

- While Timor-Leste has indicated Teves should not remain in their territory, the Philippine government is awaiting formal clarification on whether he will be deported or extradited

- The DOJ highlighted that their initial extradition request for Teves was granted but later surprisingly reversed, causing delays in the process

The Philippine government is closely monitoring developments in Timor-Leste regarding the status of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines, including his alleged role in the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo.

Following recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste authorities, the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ), in a statement, has reiterated its readiness to facilitate Teves's return to the country to face the charges against him.

Teves, who is accused of masterminding the March 4, 2023 massacre in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted in the deaths of Degamo and nine others, has consistently denied the allegations, claiming political persecution.

He has refused to return to the Philippines, leading to the cancellation of his passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the filing of an extradition request by the Philippine government.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, through a press statement issued by the Philippine News Agency (PNA), highlighted the Philippine government’s long-standing readiness to bring Teves home.

The statement recalled that the initial request for Teves's extradition had been granted but was “unexpectedly reversed,” causing a significant delay in the process.

The DOJ now welcomes new indications from Timor-Leste that Teves should not remain in their territory.

However, the Philippine government awaits clarification on the specific action Timor-Leste intends to take—whether Teves will be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited immediately based on the Philippines’ pending application.

“We emphasize that the Philippine government has not been furnished with any legal or official document on the matter,” the DOJ statement underscored, indicating the need for formal communication to proceed.

Despite the lack of official documentation, the DOJ affirmed its commitment to securing Teves’ transfer.

“Nonetheless, we are ready to arrange the transfer of custody by the most expeditious means once we are clarified on this issue,” the statement read.

This readiness signals the Philippine government's unwavering resolve to pursue justice in accordance with the rule of law and international cooperation principles.

The case against Teves is a high-profile one in the Philippines, with the victims’ families and the public keenly following every development.

The news of his continued presence in Timor-Leste and the complexities surrounding his extradition have generated considerable discussion.

Online reactions to the DOJ’s statement reflected a mix of impatience, hope for justice, and skepticism regarding the pace of legal proceedings.

Comments on social media posts related to the issue frequently expressed strong desires for Teves to be brought back to the Philippines to face trial.

“Dapat tlga cya umuwi at harapin ang kaso nya!” (He should really come home and face his case!) one user commented, while another stated, “Sana nga matuloy na para matahimik na ang kaluluwa ng mga namatay!” (Hopefully it pushes through so the souls of the deceased can find peace!).

The Philippine government continues to collaborate with Timor-Leste authorities, standing by to act once a formal process for his transfer is initiated.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

Earlier, news of the arrest of the former congressman at his Dili, Timor-Leste residence on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, spread like wildfire online. His son, Axl Teves, posted a video on social media of the moment his father was being taken by authorities, claiming the latter is being “kidnapped.” The former lawmaker is accused of masterminding the March 2023 Pamplona Massacre, which resulted in the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others. Despite Teves's consistent denials and claims of political persecution, the Philippine government expressed preparedness in facilitating his transfer of custody to face the charges.

In other news, the junior officers who accused a general of r@pe have returned to duty after a mental wellness break. PAF provided legal and psychological assistance, though the victims opted for private counsel and external psychological evaluation. PAF described the alleged r@pe as an isolated case and emphasized personnel awareness of rights under the Safe Spaces Act. The case is pending approval from AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. for referral to the General Court Martial.

Source: KAMI.com.gh