Arnolfo Teves Jr. Arrested by Timor-Leste Immigration Authorities

Arnolfo Teves Jr., a former rep from Negros Oriental, was arrested by Timor-Leste immigration authorities with accusations of lacking documentation for his detention. He faces serious charges back in the Philippines linked to a massacre and has been labeled a terrorist by the ATC.

Former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was apprehended by Timor-Leste immigration officials, according to his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, on May 28. The lawyer stated that Teves was taken into custody at his home around 8 PM Tuesday, May 27, local time in Dili. Dr. Joao Sera, Teves’s legal counsel in Timor-Leste, was also arrested at the same time.

Topacio claimed that neither Teves nor Sera were shown any warrant or documentation explaining the reasons for their detention. He expressed concern over the treatment Sera received during the arrest, alleging he was manhandled by immigration authorities. Both men are currently being held within the Ministry of the Interior’s compound, where Teves has legal representation.

This crisis escalated after the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) canceled Teves’s passport based on a Manila court’s order. He faces charges linked to the massacre on March 4, 2023, in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted in the death of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others. In light of these events, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has classified Teves as a terrorist due to these allegations and other suspected terrorist activities in the region.

Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s arrest in Timor-Leste raises significant legal concerns, particularly around the lack of documentation provided during his capture. His escalating legal troubles stem from serious charges related to a massacre in the Philippines, alongside his recent designation as a terrorist. As the situation unfolds, the implications for Teves and those associated with him remain to be seen.

Original Source: politiko.com.ph