MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the release of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. from house arrest in Timor Leste over the weekend.
In a statement, the DOJ said Teves was released from detention based on Timor Leste’s laws that a fugitive like Teves can only be detained or restricted for a maximum of 90 days.
“The DOJ received a message from Central Authority of TL around midnight that the house arrest of Teves has concluded as of 7 p.m. Dili time (8 p.m. Manila time),” the DOJ said in a statement.
“Fugitive Teves is able to leave his house but is being monitored by security forces. Land, sea, and air border authorities have been notified to ensure that Teves stays within Dili only,” it added.
The DOJ further said Teves “has to be presented to court every two days, while waiting for the decision of the Court of Appeal, which is expected to come out by next week. All of Teves’ documents are also in the possession of security forces.”
Teves’ lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said on Saturday that the former lawmaker was released from detention, but “certain conditions” were imposed on his temporary freedom.
“There are certain conditions, including regular reporting to a court officer and a commitment not to leave TL while the extradition case is pending, which conditions are customary in litigations of this nature,” Topacio said.
“Otherwise, he has been restored to full liberty in accordance with the order of the TL high court’s voiding of the preventing detention order due to defects in the extradition request,” he added.
Teves was arrested in Dili, Timor Leste last March while playing golf based on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February.
The red notice stemmed from the multiple murder charges filed against Teves for for the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others at the home of the then-governor on March 4, 2023./PN
