Expelled Representative Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves Jr. has been apprehended in Timor Leste on Tuesday night, his lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio confirmed.
Topacio said Teves was arrested at 8 pm local time in Timor Leste. Along with Teves, his lawyer, Dr. Joao Serra, was also apprehended.
They were detained at the Interior Ministry facility in Timor Leste.
Teves’ son, Axl, claims that his father was “illegally kidnapped” and “illegally detained”.
In a video post online, Axl said that his father was kidnapped around 8 pm local time in Timor Leste, forcibly taken without legal documents or warrants.
He added that his father and lawyer were slightly harmed. The family is now calling on the UN Human Rights to help them with the situation.
Axl emphasized that his father was supposed to live peacefully in Timor Leste following a court ruling there, and maintained that his father was indeed “illegally kidnapped” and “illegally detained”.
Teves is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the March 2023 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others.
(Congressman Arnie Teves FB photo)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.