Arnie Teves, ibinigay ng Timor-Leste sa Pinas; sakay na ng Philippine Air Force plane pabalik Manila

- Arnie Teves, a former congressman and alleged mastermind of the slay of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others, has been deported from Timor-Leste

- He is now onboard a Philippine Air Force plane en route to the Philippines

- Timor-Leste declared Teves a “threat to national security” due to his invalid Philippine passport and lack of legal authorization to stay

- The SouthEast Asian country, with its deportation declaration concerning Teves, overturned previous court decisions that had blocked the latter’s extradition

Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, a former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative who has been a fugitive from Philippine justice for over a year, is now en route back to Manila after being deported from Timor-Leste.

The significant development unfolded on Thursday, May 29, 2025, as Teves boarded a Philippine Air Force plane in Dili, Timor-Leste, marking a crucial turn in the high-profile case linked to the brutal Pamplona Massacre.

Teves’ deportation came swiftly after Timor-Leste authorities declared him a “threat to national security and public order,” citing his invalid Philippine passport and lack of legal authorization to remain in their country.

This decision by the Ministry of the Interior reversed previous rulings by a Timorese court that had blocked the Philippine government’s extradition requests.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have actively mobilized a joint team, including representatives from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), to facilitate Teves’ return and ensure a smooth transfer of custody.

The 49-year-old former lawmaker was initially apprehended by immigration authorities at his residence in Dili on Tuesday evening, May 27, 2025.

His arrest followed an international alert issued by Interpol and a standing warrant from the Philippine Department of Justice for his alleged role as the mastermind behind the March 4, 2023, massacre in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

The attack resulted in the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and nine other individuals, a crime that shocked the nation and highlighted the deep-seated political rivalries in the province.

Teves also faces multiple other murder charges, including for killings that occurred in Negros Oriental in 2019, and has been designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

The sudden shift in Timor-Leste’s stance on Teves’ presence has been linked by some observers to the country’s aspiration for full membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Timorese government emphasized that harboring fugitives undermines efforts to combat transnational crime and could strain diplomatic relations with sovereign states.

This move is seen as a demonstration of Timor-Leste’s commitment to international cooperation and regional stability.

The news of Teves’ impending return has been met with significant reactions in the Philippines. Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative-elect Janice Degamo, the widow of the slain Governor Roel Degamo, welcomed the development, calling Teves’ arrest a “significant step toward justice.”

She has been a vocal advocate for accountability for her late husband and the other victims, tirelessly pursuing legal avenues and running for office to continue the fight for justice.

Her steadfast determination has been a central narrative in the aftermath of the massacre, resonating deeply with the victims’ families and the public.

Meanwhile, Teves’ legal counsel in the Philippines, Ferdinand Topacio, had previously asserted that a Timorese court had granted a writ of habeas corpus for Teves, alleging his client’s arrest was made without a warrant or proper documentation.

However, the Department of Justice maintained that the deportation was an administrative decision by the Timorese executive branch, distinct from previous judicial extradition proceedings.

As Teves prepares to face the charges against him, the Philippine government has assured the public and the international community that due process will be strictly observed.

The case is expected to unfold with intense scrutiny, as it represents a critical test of the country’s legal system in bringing alleged perpetrators of high-profile crimes to justice.

The journey back to the Philippines for Arnie Teves Jr. signifies not just the end of his time as a fugitive but also the beginning of what promises to be a closely watched legal battle.

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.

In other news, a woman who went viral after emerging from a sewer in Makati has been turned over to the DSWD for assistance. She is now under the care of the DSWD’s Pag-abot Processing Center in Pasay City. The agency will conduct a thorough assessment and provide the necessary intervention based on her condition and needs. The DSWD urged the public to report similar cases to ensure vulnerable individuals receive appropriate support and protection.

Still in other news, an 18-wheeler truck plowed through five vehicles along Batasan-San Mateo Road in Quezon City, killing three people and injuring seven others. Dashcam footage showed the truck speeding downhill before tipping over. Victims included a man waiting at a shed, a motorcycle passenger, and an unidentified individual. “Masakit para sa akin mawalan ng tito...” said one grieving relative, as per GMA News.

Source: KAMI.com.gh