Former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. was transferred to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa hours after being deported from Timor-Leste. The transfer marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings against Teves, who is facing various charges.
Authorities coordinated the deportation and subsequent detention as part of efforts to ensure his accountability under Philippine law. Further details regarding his case and next steps in the judicial process are expected to follow.
Sporting a bulletproof vest and Kevlar helmet, Teves was moved in an armored vehicle to the NBI detention facility located within the New Bilibid Prison complex.
“Ilalagay muna natin siya sa solo na room para mag-acclimate siya in being a detainee,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago said.
The NBI stated that Teves will not be granted any VIP privileges and that strict security protocols will be implemented during his detention.
Teves arrived back in the Philippines on Thursday night, nearly two years after being implicated in the March 2023 attack that resulted in the deaths of then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
On Friday morning, Teves faced the media alongside his mother, Zenaida Teves, and his legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio.
Teves was held at a driving range in the capital, Dili, last year, but a Timorese court prevented his extradition. The justice secretary suggested the ruling may have been influenced by corruption, stating it was “obvious that some people are making money out of this.”
In a sudden reversal, Timor-Leste announced late Wednesday that Teves would be deported, citing his continued presence as a security threat.
The country also noted that its “imminent full accession” to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has strengthened its obligation to cooperate with regional partners on legal issues.
Teves has denied any involvement in the killing of Degamo.
On March 4, 2023, Degamo was distributing aid at his residence in Pamplona when six armed men dressed in military fatigues stormed the compound and opened fire.
The attack occurred months after Degamo was declared the winner of a contested election, which had unseated Henry Teves, the brother of the former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves.
Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after he refused to return to the Philippines to face murder charges.
On Wednesday, Teves’ son Axl posted videos on social media showing his father being forcibly taken by Timorese police, alleging that he had been “kidnapped.”