Former Philippine Lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. Arrested in Timor-Leste

Arnolfo Teves Jr., former Negros Oriental rep, was arrested in Timor-Leste by immigration authorities with his lawyer. Neither was shown a warrant. Teves, who has no passport due to a Philippine court order, faces serious charges including a massacre and has been labeled a terrorist.

In a surprising turn of events, Arnolfo Teves Jr., the former representative for Negros Oriental’s 3rd District, was apprehended in Timor-Leste by immigration authorities, as confirmed by his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, on May 28. According to Topacio, Teves was taken into custody at approximately 8 PM local time on May 27, in his residence. Remarkably, Dr. Joao Sera, Teves’ legal counsel in Timor-Leste, was arrested alongside him.

Topacio raised concerns over the detainment process, claiming that no warrants or legal documents were provided to explain the reasons for their arrest. He emphasized, “No warrant or any written authority was shown to Mr. Teves and Dr. Sera as to the cause of detention.” Furthermore, Topacio alleged that Dr. Sera faced physical mistreatment from immigration officers.

Currently, both Teves and Sera are held at the Ministry of the Interior’s facility, a situation further complicated by the fact that Teves has legal representation present with him inside. Topacio specified that another attorney has joined Teves within the compound, indicating a concerted effort to ensure proper legal support.

Teves’ legal troubles date back to the cancellation of his passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which followed a Manila court’s directive. This action was taken in connection with the gruesome massacre on March 4, 2023, in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted in the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others. Furthermore, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has categorized Teves as a terrorist for this incident and other alleged acts of terrorism in the region.

The arrest of Arnolfo Teves Jr. in Timor-Leste raises significant legal and diplomatic questions, particularly regarding the conduct of immigration officials and the previous cancellation of his passport due to serious criminal charges he faces in the Philippines. Teves, labeled a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, now finds himself in confinement without clear legal justification, as his legal team seeks to address these urgent issues. Ultimately, this situation underscores the challenges surrounding due process and the repercussions of serious criminal allegations on an international scale.

Original Source: politiko.com.ph