Latest news with #Degamo
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Arnie Teves back in Philippines
After two years since the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, former lawmaker Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the case, was deported back to the Philippines from Timor-Leste. The Philippine Air Force plane carrying Teves landed in Davao City for a stopover early Thursday night. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said that Teves will likely be detained at one of the facilities of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) amid concerns for his safety. Following this, he said Teves will be brought before the Philippine courts to be arraigned. The former lawmaker is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges over the alleged killing of Degamo and 10 others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Teves and others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence. His legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, previously maintained his innocence, saying that his camp will avail all legal avenues. 'Nananalig po kami na wala siyang kasalanan and that kami po ngayon ay maaari na mag participate sa hukuman with the other co-counsels in order to take an active role in the proceedings,' Topacio previously said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Timor-Leste to deport ex-Philippine lawmaker wanted in 2023 killings
A man walking past the residence of the late provincial Governor Roel Degamo in 2023, a day after the governor and eight others were killed in a mass shooting. PHOTO: AFP MANILA - Timor-Leste has agreed to deport an Interpol-wanted Philippines murder suspect after two years of political wrangling, with the government linking the case to its aspirations to join the regional Asean bloc. Former Philippines congressman Arnolfo Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 attack that killed then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine others. Teves was detained at a driving range in Dili in 2024, but a Timor-Leste court blocked his extradition. Manila's justice secretary suggested the decision may have been bought, saying it was 'obvious that some people are making money out of this'. In an abrupt turnaround, Timor-Leste late on May 28 announced Teves' impending deportation, saying his continued presence represented a security risk. 'The Government hereby informs that Arnolfo Teves Jr will be deported from Timor-Leste,' it said in a statement. It added that Timor-Leste's 'imminent full accession' to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters. On May 28, Manila's Department of Justice said it was preparing a team to facilitate Teves' repatriation based on deportation documents from Timor-Leste. Ex-lawmaker Teves is the prime suspect in the murder of former Negros Oriental governor Degamo. Mr Degamo had been distributing aid at his home in Pamplona when six people carrying rifles and dressed in military fatigues entered the compound and opened fire on March 4, 2023. The killings came months after Mr Degamo was declared winner of a disputed vote, unseating Mr Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker's brother. Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges. On May 28, Teves' son Axl posted videos on social media of his father being dragged away by Timor-Leste police, claiming he had been 'kidnapped'. Mr Degamo's widow Janice, meanwhile, called the arrest a 'significant step toward justice'. Teves is currently being held in detention while awaiting administrative processing, a source at Dili's interior ministry told AFP. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
East Timor to deport ex-Philippine lawmaker wanted in 2023 killings
AI- Generated Image Manila; East Timor has agreed to deport an Interpol-wanted Philippines murder suspect after two years of political wrangling, with the government linking the case to its aspirations to join the regional ASEAN bloc. Former Philippines congressman Arnolfo Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 attack that killed then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine others. Teves was detained at a driving range in Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition. Manila's justice secretary suggested the decision may have been bought, saying it was "obvious that some people are making money out of this". In an abrupt turnaround, East Timor late on Wednesdayannounced Teves' impending deportation, saying his continued presence represented a security risk. "The Government hereby informs that Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be deported from Timor-Leste," it said in a statement, using the country's alternate name. It added that East Timor's "imminent full accession" to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters. On Thursday, Manila's Department of Justice said it was preparing a team to facilitate Teves' repatriation based on deportation documents from East Timor. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Undo Ex-lawmaker Teves is the prime suspect in the murder of former Negros Oriental governor Degamo. Degamo had been distributing aid at his home in Pamplona when six people carrying rifles and dressed in military fatigues entered the compound and opened fire on March 4, 2023. The killings came months after Degamo was declared winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the ex-lawmaker's brother. Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face murder charges. On Wednesday, Teves' son Axl posted videos on social media of his father being dragged away by Timorese police, claiming he had been "kidnapped". Degamo's widow Janice, meanwhile, called the arrest a "significant step toward justice". Teves is currently being held in detention while awaiting administrative processing, a source at Dili's interior ministry told AFP.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ mobilizes team for repatriation of Arnie Teves
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said it has mobilized a team to assist in the repatriation of former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, to the Philippines from Timor-Leste. In a statement, the DOJ said the team will be composed of representatives from the Justice Department, the Bureau of Immigration, and the National Bureau of Investigation. 'As we await the arrival of Mr. Teves, the Philippine Government assures the public and the international community that due process will be strictly observed, and that justice will be pursued without fear or favor,' the DOJ said. Last night, the Timor-Leste government said it will deport Teves as he has been in the country without a valid visa and legal authorization to stay. The DOJ said that the administrative deportation decision includes a 10-year ban on re-entry and is grounded in Timor-Leste's domestic laws on migration and asylum as well as 'respect for the principles of international cooperation and ASEAN solidarity.' 'The Government of Timor-Leste emphasized that harboring fugitives undermines efforts to combat transnational crime and disrupts diplomatic relations between sovereign states,' the DOJ said. Teves' legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, said that Teves has left Timor-Leste. 'That much is verified, although I do not have the details as of now,' Topacio said in a message to members of the media. GMA News Online has sought confirmation from the DOJ and the BI. The former lawmaker is facing multiple murder charges over the killing of Degamo and nine others on March 4, 2023 at the Degamo residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Teves and others have also been charged with the alleged killings of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. He was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
