Expelled Negros Oriental congressman and fugitive Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. has been placed under house arrest in Timor-Leste, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Thursday, June 13.
“The Prosecutor General's Office of Timor-Leste has officially placed former House Representative Arnie Teves under house arrest. He will be under 24-hour security, with only family members permitted to visit him,” the DOJ said in a statement.
It assured that the Philippine government will “maintain close oversight of the situation to ensure that all procedures are both valid and appropriate.”
The DOJ issued the statement after news reports came out from Timor-Leste that the country’s Court of Appeals on Thursday, June 13, ordered Teves placed under house arrest for being a flight risk.
According to news reports, the court recognized that he has the financial capacity to flee since Teves has been given financial support by the owner of construction firm where the expelled legislator is also a partner and has been living at a rented house with a monthly rent of $10,000 where he stays with his wife, two children, and 20 employees.
The reports also said the court also found the arrest of Teves by local authorities in Timor Leste as valid.
The Philippine government has sought before Timor Leste the extradition of Teves who has been designated as a terrorist in the Philippines and ordered arrested for criminal charges in connection with the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where 10 persons were killed including provincial governor Roel Degamo.