Inside story of fugitive Arnie Teves’ deportation

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The fall of Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in the hands of authorities was over two years in the making.

After a cycle of arrests and releases from detention, the former lawmaker, who faces multiple criminal cases in the Philippines, was arrested a final time in Timor-Leste on May 27. His counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, said Teves was nabbed by the immigration police at around 8 pm.

Philippine authorities did not confirm nor deny the arrest. Manila’s Department of Justice (DOJ) simply said on May 28 that it was ready to facilitate Teves’ return to the country.

On the night of May 28, none other than the Timor-Leste government issued a strongly worded statement: Teves — whom the Southeast Asian nation described as a threat to national security — will be deported to the Philippines.

It was happening neither through a judicial proceeding nor extradition, which the Philippine government initially used to bring Teves Back. The deportation was made possible because the Philippine government put a foot forward, and Timor-Leste obliged by ordering Teves’ return through a decision of its executive department.

On the same night Timor-Leste announced its plan, authorities from the DOJ, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Bureau of Immigration (BI) held a closed-door meeting in Villamor Airbase, Pasay City to discuss the process of transporting Teves. The Philippine delegation boarded a Philippine military aircraft at around 11:34 pm, then flew to Timor-Leste.

After nearly 12 hours, the Philippine team arrived in the Southeast Asian country. Thereafter, NBI Director Jaime Santiago, DOJ Assistant Secretary Eliseo Cruz, and the rest of the contingent talked to their Timorese counterparts to start the transfer.

There was a certificate of turnover. The two countries signed the document, supposedly agreeing to the terms indicated to facilitate Teves’ deportation. The officials also posed for a photo to show the signed certificate.

Less than 15 minutes after the signing, Teves was escorted outside a room. He was wearing a white shirt, holding a bottle of water in his hands, and was struggling to walk. Teves’ hands and feet were in shackles as Timorese authorities accompanied him boarding the Philippine military aircraft.

Teves initially sat beside Santiago. There, Philippine authorities read him the Miranda Rights to inform the former lawmaker of his right to remain silent and the right to competent counsel. The plane took off at about 2:42 pm (Philippine time).

Back to the Philippines

The Philippine military aircraft landed in the Philippines — specifically at the Davao City airport — for refueling at around 7:30 pm on May 29.

Teves can be seen wearing a bulletproof vest, while his hands remained cuffed. Later in the flight, the former lawmaker was also given a kevlar helmet. A person inside the aircraft said their plane took off a little past 8:20 pm.

LANDING. The Philippine Air Force aircraft carrying expelled Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves Jr., arrives at Villamor Air Base on May 29, 2025. Angie de Silva/Rappler

At 11:30 pm, the aircraft carrying Teves landed at Villamor Airbase. Upon arrival, Teves was taken to an NBI vehicle and was brought to the bureau’s headquarters in Pasay City.

He underwent a medical check-up then booking procedures. These were part of standard rules for nabbed suspects. At the NBI headquarters, Teves was allowed to be visited by his mother, Zenaida, and lawyer Topacio. All three of them joined Teves’ first public appearance — the NBI’s press conference — on Friday, May 30.

“So, you will see, from the start, we have accorded him all the human rights that should be afforded to an arrested person. Including the visitations of Topacio and Teves’ mother last night,” Santiago said during the May 30 briefing.

PRESENTATION. Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves Jr., joined by his mother and counsel Ferdinand Topacio, is presented to the media by National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago and Justice department officials, after his arrest and repatriation from Timor Leste, on May 30, 2025. Angie de Silva/Rappler

Teves was tagged as the alleged brains behind the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others in 2023. For this, he is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges. He was also later implicated in several killings in his home province in 2019 and he faces three counts of murder over the said incidents.

Apart from being designated a terrorist, Teves is also charged with cases of terrorism financing and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Timor-Leste’s conditions

In turning over Teves, the Timorese government set some conditions that they said should be followed as the trial of the former lawmaker proceeds.

Note that Indonesia did not ask for any conditions when it turned over to the Philippines former overseas Filipino worker Mary Jane Veloso, who was on death row, in 2024. Manila’s justice officials said there was no demand except for reciprocity.

For Remulla, Timor-Leste’s demands in the Teves case were unnecessary: “Well, I think it was just a document that they needed to assure themselves that they were doing the right thing. But it was really unnecessary because we have a more advanced legal system than Timor-Leste, a more mature one.”

According to Timor-Leste, Teves should not face an irreducible sentence. If he is meted the penalty of reclusion perpetua (imprisonment of up to 40 years), the fugitive’s case should be subjected to parole eligibility and periodic review “after no more than 25 years for any single offense.”

CERTIFICATE. The certificate of handover from Timor-Leste. Sourced photo.

The Southeast Asian country also demanded that Teves’ imprisonment should not exceed 30 years, and if there are multiple convictions, the sentence should not go beyond 40 years.

“That’s what our laws say, too. We have what we call the three-fold rule. If there are many cases, the totality of the penalty of those cases should not exceed 40 years,” Santiago, who was a retired judge, explained.

Timor-Leste also demanded that the death penalty should not be applied to Teves. This demand was also unnecessary as the Philippines has no death penalty as a punishment for crimes. (READ: The PH is backing UN resolution vs death penalty: What does it mean?)

The rest of the demands include:

• No torture or inhumane treatment against Teves
• Teves’ detention must be compliant with international rules; access to legal counsel and medical care
• No coerced evidence, fair and public trial, and non-political persecution

Lastly, the country set to join ASEAN also wants to “accompany the criminal proceedings and detention, to make sure that all the key guarantees in this document are fulfilled.”

“[Timor-Leste officials] can serve as observers, but they cannot meddle,” the NBI director explained.

In detention after two years

Teves was given a chance to speak in public — during the NBI presser. His statements, however, are limited by a Manila court’s prevailing gag order in relation to his criminal cases. The order prevents lawyers, parties, and witnesses to discuss the merits of the case.

During the NBI briefing, Teves said he is “sad” because he will be detained. He was also glad, he said, because he was finally able to see his mother after two years. Teves also said he had gone through a painful experience because of his father’s passing in December 2024.

The former lawmaker also said he’s hoping that the court will immediately resolve all of his cases: “At least, my cases will see their ending. Even when I was in Timor-Leste, I thought, if I won’t return home or face the cases [they won’t be concluded]. These cases need to see their ending.”

Teves went into hiding in Timor-Leste to avoid his local cases for nearly two years. His refusal to return home also led to his expulsion as a member of the House of Representatives. He had also exhausted all means to stall his extradition and deportation while in Timor-Leste.

If this was so, then why did Teves say he was willing to face his cases? The former lawmaker claimed he is now fearing for his life and feels safer with the NBI — after nearly two years of evading Philippine authorities.

“I feel safer with the NBI because, I will express my gratitude to our director and to everyone because of their good treatment to me since I surrendered. My concern is really my life,” Teves said.

“He doesn’t want to go home. He doesn’t want to return…But if he really was innocent, he could come home. From the US, he headed to ASEAN countries and finally settled down in Timor-Leste. So what gives? Right, flight is an indication of guilt?” Remulla told reporters on May 30.

Facing the court

Teves will be detained inside the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa City. Bilibid is reserved for persons deprived of liberty who have already had convictions, but the former lawmaker will stay inside an NBI facility only located in the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) property.

Santiago explained that this was the NBI facility available for Teves, since their former Manila headquarters is under construction. The building is still maintained by NBI officials and staff — therefore maintaining the rule that only PDLs with conviction should be under the BuCor’s custody.

The NBI chief said Teves, in the meantime, will be alone in his cell to “acclimatize” himself while in detention.

“Do not wonder why he’s in BuCor. That detention facility is under our control,” Santiago explained. “There will be no irregularities in our treatment [of] him, no torture, or anything. I have strict orders to my personnel. The detainee should not be allowed to leave his detention.”

On May 30, the NBI director said they have returned the warrants to the issuing courts to notify them about Teves’ arrest. Later, these courts may decide where to detain Teves through a commitment order. The former lawmaker may remain in the BuCor compound, or be detained in other jails. The court will also set the arraignment in Teves’ cases, where he will be asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

The legal battle — concerning multiple criminal cases — was long and complicated both for Teves and the victims of the killings. Nevertheless, his deportation signaled hope for the grieving families.

“For over two years, our call has been clear and unwavering, that those responsible for this heinous crime must be held accountable, no matter how far they run or how long they hide,” Degamo’s widow, incoming Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Janice Degamo, said. – Rappler.com

*Some quotes were translated into English for brevity.