Ex-Philippine rep Arnolfo Teves rearrested in Timor-Leste; son cries ‘kidnap'
MANILA: Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep Arnolfo Teves Jr was arrested Tuesday (May 27) evening at his house in Dili, Timor-Leste.
His son Axl Teves confirmed in a social media post, saying: 'I am making this video to inform everyone that my father, Arnie Teves, has been kidnapped and abused.'
Arnolfo Teves has been charged with the 2023 murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in what is now known as the Pamplona Massacre.
A 10-second video was posted by his son on Facebook showing the elder Teves being forcibly removed from his house by immigration officers.
A video was posted by Axl Teves, son of former Negros Oriental Third District Rep. Arnolfo Teves, on Facebook showing the elder Teves being forcibly removed from his house in Dili, Timor-Leste by immigration officers on Tuesday (May 27) evening.
The former congressman has long denied the charges. He refused to return to the Philippines, saying he is a subject of political persecution.
A 10-second video was posted by his son on Facebook showing immigration officers forcibly removing his father, Arnolfo, from his house in Dili, Timor-Leste.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that it cannot confirm anything as the Timor-Leste government has not yet contacted them.
'We await their action. Until we receive official communication from the Timor-Leste government, we cannot confirm anything,' DOJ spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano IV said.
Clavano also noted that it is not yet clear to them if the arrest was because Teves is an undocumented foreigner, or if it has a connection to his passport cancellation, or because of the Philippine government's extradition request.
But he said the Philippine government was 'ready to arrange the transfer of custody by the most expeditious means once we are clarified on this issue.' - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
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