DILI, TIMOR-LESTE — Former Philippine lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., previously expelled from Congress over serious criminal allegations, was apprehended Tuesday night in his residence in Dili, Timor-Leste, under circumstances his family has called unlawful and alarming.
His son, Axl Teves, took to social media shortly after the incident, posting a short video that appeared to show his father being taken into custody by individuals believed to be members of Timor-Leste’s law enforcement and immigration units. The video, which has since circulated widely online, shows a visibly distressed Teves being led out of his home, allegedly without the presentation of any legal documentation.
“They barged in without warrants or even identification,” Axl claimed in a video statement. “There were no proper documents served, and my father was taken by force. This wasn’t an arrest. This was an abduction.”
Teves Jr., once a representative of Negros Oriental’s 3rd district, has been residing in Timor-Leste after being accused of orchestrating the high-profile assassination of Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023—a charge he has repeatedly denied.
According to Axl, a recent court ruling in Timor-Leste had favored the elder Teves, blocking his extradition to the Philippines and permitting him to remain in the country. A motion for reconsideration had also been filed to strengthen his legal stay. “We were under the impression he would be safe here, especially after the court’s decision,” he said.
Adding to the family’s concerns, Axl alleged that his father sustained injuries during the arrest and has since been held incommunicado. “This is a gross violation of both human rights and international protocols,” he stated. The family is now appealing to international institutions, including the United Nations, to investigate what they describe as an “illegal detention.”
The arrest has also been independently confirmed by Portuguese news outlet Lusa, which reported that Teves was accompanied by his Portuguese legal counsel at the time of the incident.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by Timor-Leste authorities detailing the grounds for the arrest or Teves’ current legal status.
The evolving situation highlights the international complexities of politically charged cases and the tensions between domestic justice processes and international law. The Philippine government has long sought Teves’ return to face charges, but Tuesday’s unexpected development could escalate the legal and diplomatic standoff.