Filipino nationwide Arnolfo Teves (C), a homicide suspect, is escorted by East Timorese safety personnel for deportation to his house nation at Presidente Nicolau Lobato airport in Dili on Might 29, 2025, after the East Timorese authorities determined to deport Teves for being an unlawful immigrant deemed a risk to nationwide safety. East Timor has agreed to deport an Interpol-wanted Philippines homicide suspect after two years of political wrangling, with the federal government linking the case to its aspirations to hitch the regional ASEAN bloc. Former Philippines congressman Arnolfo Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 assault that killed then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and 9 others. (Picture by Valentino Dariell De Sousa / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — “An opportunity for [Degamo family] to proceed their seek for justice.”
This was how Sen. Joel Villanueva described on Thursday the deportation of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves to the Philippines.
Chatting with reporters in an interview, Villanueva mentioned the event surrounding the Degamo slay is a “step ahead within the pursuit of justice.”
“We welcome this growth as a step ahead within the pursuit of justice. It’ll present former Negros Oriental Rep. Teves the chance to face the costs in opposition to him, whereas additionally giving the Degamo household an opportunity to proceed their seek for justice,” mentioned Villanueva.
“We stand united with the Degamo household and all affected households in lastly reaching closure within the brutal killing of our good pal, former Governor Roel Degamo, and all different victims,” he added.
READ: Teves to be held at NBI detention facility in Bilibid
This was echoed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian who likewise emphasised the necessity for justice to be lastly served.
“Admittedly, with what former Congressman Teves did, your complete nation was affected by it as a result of it was accomplished in broad daylight. The home of the previous governor was damaged into. Many had been shocked and stunned by what he did,” mentioned Gatchalian in Filipino.
With what occurred, Gatchalian mentioned the status of the Philippines was tarnished.
“So it’s good for us to attain justice, and right here we will see worldwide cooperation. That’s additionally essential as a result of criminality right now, not simply within the Philippines, is rising. Like Pogo, it goes to different international locations, like this, it might conceal in different international locations. So {our relationships} with different international locations are essential,” he defined.
Teves was slapped with prices of homicide and different crimes linked to the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and 9 others in 2023.
To recall, Teves refused to return to the Philippines after the killings and was expelled from the Home of Representatives in 2023.
He was then designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, which linked him to a string of killings in Negros Oriental.
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The airplane carrying Teves from Timor Leste landed at Villamor Airbase in Pasay Metropolis at round 11:25 p.m. on Thursday./mr
