Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. has been flown back to the Philippines from Timor Leste, where he had been hiding after fleeing from the cases against him in the country.
According to SMNews Puru’s live footage, a Philippine Air Force plane departed from Timor Leste around 1 pm on Thursday.
Teves’ deportation occurred after the Timor Leste government decided to send back the former lawmaker due to being deemed a threat to their national security.
In a statement, the Timor Leste government mentioned they do not want to be perceived as a refuge for individuals facing cases.
They also do not want this to damage the bilateral relations between their country and the Philippines.
Earlier, a court in Timor Leste had denied the Philippines’ extradition request to bring Teves back to the country.
Teves is wanted for charges on the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in 2023.”
(SMNews Puru Screengrab)
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.