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Ex-Rep Arnie Teves arrested in Timor-Leste

Philippines | National

Ex-Rep Arnie Teves arrested in Timor-Leste

By Jeffrey Damicog

Former Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr. has been arrested by immigration police in Timor-Leste, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio confirmed on Wednesday, May 28.

“At around 8 p.m. yesterday (Dili time), our client, Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., was taken from his residence in Dili together with his Timor Leste counsel, Dr. Joao Serra, by immigration police,” Topacio said.

Teves and Serra are now detained inside the compound of the Ministry of the Interior where Teves has been accompanied by another counsel, he also said.

“No warrant or any written authority was shown to Mr. Teves and Dr. Serra as to the cause of detention,” he added.

Teves, who has been designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), is facing multiple charges including the March 4, 2023 shooting in Pamplona, Negros Oriental that resulted in the deaths of Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other persons.

The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 issued in 2024 a warrant for his arrest in connection with the Pamplona shootings.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has also cancelled the passport of Teves upon the order of the RTC which makes the former legislator an undocumented alien in Timor-Leste.

Prior to the Pamplona incident, Teves left for the United States and has not returned since then.

Due to his prolonged and unauthorized absences, the House of Representatives expelled Teves as a legislator.

Teves eventually flew to Timor-Leste where he sought asylum.

Early this year, Teves’ appeal against his extradition was granted by the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste.

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