Pres. Bongbong Marcos Speaks on Deportation of Former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnie Teves
BONGBONG MARCOS – The Philippine President issued a statement on the deportation of former Negros Oriental 3rd District Congressman Arnie Teves from Timor-Leste.
For more than a year since the death of the late former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnie Teves has not returned to the Philippines. He cited his concern about his safety amid the calls for him to go back and face the accusations against him.
Teves is accused as the principal suspect in the death of the then Gov. Degamo. Their families are political rivals in the province of Negros Oriental and Degamo has defeated Teves’ brother, Pryde Henry Teves, in the election for governor. Recently, reports that former Cong. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves was arrested in Timor-Leste shocked countless Filipinos. He was in Timor-Leste where he is faced with an extradition case filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The arrest of Teves was shared on social media by his son, Axl Teves. The immigration officers went to his residence in Dili, Timor Leste to arrest him. The government of Timor-Leste ruled to deport Arnie Teves back to the Philippines.
The Timor-Leste government cited Teves’ lack of a valid Visa as well as a legal authorization to stay in the country. He was also cited as a security risk. The camp of the former Negros Oriental Congressman filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus which challenged his detention and it was granted.
Before the day ended yesterday, former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves was brought to board a Philippine Air Force plane back to the Philippines. Recently, Pres. Bongbong Marcos issued a statement on the return of the former Negros Oriental Congressman.
Based on a video posted by PTV News on Facebook, Pres. Bongbong Marcos claimed he knew about the ruling on former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves through Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão. He confirmed the return of the former Negros Oriental Congressman in the country.
Marcos Jr. stressed that he just returned from Kuala Lumpur for the ASEAN meeting. The Philippine President credited the Prime Minister and the President of Timor-Leste for the progress on the case of the former Negros Oriental Congressman who is faced with charges back in the Philippines.
“Timor-Leste was ready to send Teves back to the Philippines. This would have not happened without the assistance of Pres. Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao of Timor-Leste. They have been working very hard to bring this to conclusion,” he expressed.
Based on the post, Pres. Bongbong Marcos assured the Filipinos that Arnie Teves won’t go unpunished if he’s proven to be guilty of the crimes charged against him. According to the Chief Executive, it is now time for the former Negros Oriental Congressman to face justice.
“As we know, the former Congressman Arnie Teves is facing charges… crimes related to the ambush killing of former Governor Degamo. We would like also to assure all our citizens that such lawlessness will not go unpunished. It is now time for Arnie Teves to face justice,” Pres. Bongbong Marcos said.
Previously, the late former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo’s widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, reacted to Arnie Teves’ arrest in Timor-Leste.