Former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves Insists his Conscience is Clear
ARNIE TEVES – The former Negros Oriental Congressman broke his silence on his deportation from Timor Leste to the Philippines.
Following his arrest, former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves was deported to the Philippines. He stayed in Timor-Leste for around two (2) years amid the charges against him in PH. He is accused as the alleged mastermind in the death of his family’s political rival, the late former Gov. Roel Degamo.
Prior to his deportation, Teves was arrested by the immigration officers in his residence in Dili, Timor-Leste. He is an applicant for asylum in the Southeast Asian nation. His arrest was shared on social media by his son, Axl Teves, who claimed that the arresters allegedly had no warrant of arrest against his father.
The government of Timor-Leste ruled to deport Arnie Teves with citations of lack of valid Visa and a legal authorization to stay in the country. The former Negros Oriental Congressman was also tagged as an alleged security risk.
Teves was brought back to the Philippines on board a Philippine Air Force plane. The Department of Justice (DOJ) which fought fervently for the extradition of the former Negros Oriental Congressman mobilized a team that would facilitate on the return of the former Congressman.
Upon his arrival in the Philippines, former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves was brought to the National Bureau of Investigation. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, for the first time since his arrest, the former Congressman spoke before the media.
Teves was asked by one of the reporters on how he is feeling now following his arrest that he is back in the Philippines. The former Congressman admitted that he is sad that he will have to be detained as he cited the process in the country.
“Sa totoo lang, of course, malungkot ako dahil makukulong ako… Dito kasi makukulong ka kahit hindi pa ka pa convicted,” he said.
While he is sad that he will have to stay behind the bars, former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves cited that he is also glad to his mother, Zenaida Teves, whom he has not seen for two (2) years. His mother and his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, accompanied him during the media conference.
According to Teves, his father died last December and he was not able to go home. He stressed that he also wants the case to come to its conclusion.
“On the other hand, I’m also glad because I haven’t seen my mother for two (2) years. My father died last December hindi na ako nakauwi. It was quite painful. And also, at least, ma ano na rin, matapos na rin. Dahil kahit no’ng nandun ako, inisip ko, kung hindi man ako umuwi kailangan pa rin nitong matapos, eh,” he said.
Based on the report, during the interview with the press, Arnie Teves expressed his request to the Philippine court that the legal proceedings would be swift. According to him, he trust his lawyers and his conscience is allegedly clear.
“Ito lang sana ‘yung request ko ano, sa Korte, na sana mabilis ‘yung ano, mabilis ‘yung kaso. Dahil sa totoo lang kung tatrabahuhin talaga ‘yung kaso… Sandali lang naman ‘yun… I trust my lawyers very well. I know my conscience is clear. Sa akin, sana lang mabilis ‘yung proseso para matapos na. Matapos na siya,” the former Negros Oriental Congressman said.
Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos issued a statement on the deportation of Arnie Teves back in the Philippines.