Rappler Recap: What triggered Arnie Teves’ deportation?

Reporter Jairo Bolledo explains how and why the deportation finally happened after setbacks

MANILA, Philippines – After two years of evading arrest, fugitive former lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is finally being deported back to the Philippines to face his local criminal cases.

Teves was flown from Timor-Leste by a Philippine military plane at past 2 pm on Thursday, May 29.

The expelled lawmaker has been in the Southeast Asian country for over two years now after he was implicated in the 2023 killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.

He faces murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges over the Degamo assassination that also led to the deaths of nine other people. He is also facing three counts of murder over killings in his home province in 2019.

Originally, the Philippine government wanted to bring Teves back through judicial proceedings or via extradition. The government initially won but ultimately lost the battle when a Timorese court granted Teves’ appeal, denying the Philippine government’s request.

This time, however, the deportation was made possible by the Timorese executive department through an order.

Reporter Jairo Bolledo explains how and why the deportation finally happened. – Rappler.com