MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has failed to bring home from Timor-Leste former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.
According to NBI director Medardo De Lemos, the Timor-Leste authorities are still evaluating the request of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and the country’s request for the custody of Teves.
“Legal process po ito ng Timor at tayo naman bilang requesting party sa pamamagitan ng Interpol ay mag-aantay kung ano ang termination point at process nila doon sa kanilang bansa,” De Lemos said.
He added: “Tayo naman ay pinahintulutan ng Presidente mismong ng Timor-Leste na si President Jose Ramos-Horta na kumuha ng litrato parang proof of life na nasa kanila na nga po si Congressman Teves.”
De Lemos further said that the Timor Leste President is also hoping for a faster evaluation so Teves will be sent back immediately to the Philippines.
The NBI official also assured that Teves is in a good condition as they assured the former lawmaker that they will make sure than he will not be harmed upon his return to the Philippines.
“Ang sabi nga niya, natatakot siya sa kanyang buhay so sabi namin nirerespeto namin po yan at kami po ay may commitment na hindi sya mapapahamak at walang mangyayaring masama sa kanya, tapusin lang ang proseso,” De Lemos said.
Teves, who is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and five others in March 2023, has been arrested in Timor-Leste while playing golf in Dili on Thursday afternoon last week, March 21.
Teves, who was designated as a terrorist along with 11 others by the Anti-Terrorism Council in June 2023 and was expelled from his elective position in August, 2023, was also charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019./PN
