Latest news with #RoelDegamo
CNA
29-05-2025
- General
- CNA
Timor-Leste deports ex-Philippine lawmaker wanted in 2023 killings
MANILA: Timor-Leste deported an Interpol-wanted Filipino murder suspect on Thursday (May 29) whose case the government has linked to its aspirations to join the regional ASEAN bloc, after more than two years of political wrangling. Former Philippines congressman Arnolfo Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 attack that killed then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine others. "The former representative Arnie Teves is now back in the Philippines," President Ferdinand Marcos said in a video message Thursday evening, adding it was time for him "to face justice". Government television aired footage of a handcuffed Teves being escorted from a Philippine Air Force plane in the southern city of Davao, where the network said the aircraft would refuel before proceeding to Manila. Hours earlier, AFP journalists saw him boarding the turboprop plane before it took off from Timor-Leste's Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. Teves was detained at a driving range in the capital Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition. The Philippines 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 announced Teves' impending deportation late on Wednesday, 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 Timor-Leste's "imminent full accession" to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had reinforced its responsibility to collaborate regionally on legal matters. Ex-lawmaker Teves is the prime suspect in the murder of Degamo, the former governor of Negros Oriental province. 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 Mar 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".
Malay Mail
29-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Asean dreams, murder charges: East Timor deports Interpol-wanted ex-Philippine lawmaker
MANILA, May 29 — East Timor deported an Interpol-wanted Filipino murder suspect on Thursday whose case the government has linked to its aspirations to join the regional Asean bloc, after more than two years of political wrangling. Former Philippines congressman Arnolfo Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 attack that killed then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine others. AFP journalists saw him boarding a turboprop plane with Philippine Air Force markings that then took off from Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport. Teves was detained at a driving range in the capital Dili last year, but a Timorese court blocked his extradition. The Philippines 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 announced Teves' impending deportation late on Wednesday, 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, the Philippines' Department of Justice said it was preparing a team to facilitate Teves' repatriation based on deportation documents from East Timor. Ex-lawmaker Teves is the prime suspect in the murder of Degamo, the former governor of Negros Oriental province. 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'. — AFP
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
East Timor to deport ex-Philippine lawmaker wanted in 2023 killings
A provincial governor was killed while distributing aid at his home in Pamplona in the March 2023 attack. (AFP pic) 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'. '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. Today, Manila's department of justice said it was preparing a team to facilitate Teves' repatriation based on deportation documents from East Timor. 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. Yesterday, 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 towards justice'. Teves is currently being held in detention while awaiting administrative processing, a source at Dili's interior ministry told AFP.
Arab News
29-05-2025
- General
- Arab News
East Timor to deport former Philippine lawmaker wanted in 2023 killings
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 Wednesday 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, 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. 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 said.
South China Morning Post
28-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Ex-Philippine lawmaker's arrest in East Timor seen as linked to Asean membership
A former Philippine lawmaker who is accused of orchestrating a political assassination has been arrested in East Timor, in a move that analysts say is a sign of Dili's desire to resolve an extradition dispute with Manila ahead of its expected entry into Asean Arnolfo Teves Jnr was apprehended in Dili in a joint operation by East Timorese police and immigration officials at his residence in the capital on Tuesday night, his son confirmed in a post on social media on Wednesday. Teves, who has been on the run for more than a year, is wanted in the Philippines over the killing of Roel Degamo, then-governor of Negros Oriental, in March 2023. He faces multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. He left the country days before Degamo's assassination, citing medical reasons, and later sought political asylum in East Timor. The application was rejected, but Teves remained in the country amid a prolonged legal battle over his extradition. His lawyer in Dili, José Ximenes, denounced the arrest as unlawful, claiming it had been carried out without a valid warrant. 'The arrest carried out by authorities is inhumane and illegal,' Ximenes told local reporters. The Philippines' Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Wednesday it was ready to arrange Teves' return 'by the most expeditious means' but was awaiting clarity on the matter.
