EXPELLED Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. is en route back to the Philippines after being deported from Timor-Leste Thursday afternoon.
According to a live broadcast by Timorese news outlet SMNews, Teves boarded a Philippine Air Force plane shortly after 1 p.m. local time, departing Timor-Leste at approximately 2:40 p.m.
The Timor-Leste government had previously declared Teves a “threat to national security,” prompting his expulsion.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Teves is now in Philippine custody. In a brief interview following Teves’ departure from Timor-Leste, Remulla stated, “He’s already in Philippine custody, the custody of our government. We will bring him home so he can face all the charges against him regarding the murder of [Negros Oriental] Governor Roel Degamo and 12 other people who were killed in March 2023.”
A Department of Justice team was mobilized to facilitate Teves’ return and ensure a smooth handover to Philippine authorities.
Teves’ deportation marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the assassination of Governor Degamo.
The congressman has been a key figure in the investigation, facing numerous charges related to the high-profile murder.
His return to the Philippines is expected to significantly advance the legal proceedings and potentially lead to further revelations regarding the circumstances surrounding the governor’s death. The details of Teves’ immediate arraignment and detention remain to be seen.
