The Department of Justice confirmed that expelled Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was re-arrested and is currently in the custody of the Timor Leste national police, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo said Monday night, June 10.
Teves is wanted for the murder of her husband, former governor Roel Degamo, and nine others a year ago.
Teves was released from preventive detention in Bacora Prison in Dili, Timor-Leste, his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said earlier on Monday.
“Arnie Teves and his team used his minutes of freedom for a photo-op to attempt to mislead the public. Deceit, distraction and lies are the devils tools,” Mayor Degamo said on her Facebook page.
The DOJ, in its statement posted by Mayor Degamo, said “the release and subsequent re-arrest of the former congressman from prison to the Polícia Nacional of Timor Leste is part of the country’s process”.
“The department was able to submit all requirements ahead of time and in a manner fully compliant with Timor Leste’s law. Thus, the statements of Atty. Topacio are misleading, highly irresponsible and an insult to both countries,” the DOJ said.
The Polícia Nacional of Timor Leste has taken Teves into custody to continue to stand trial for his anticipated extradition, it’s added.
The DOJ is confident that the extradition proceedings will be successful. The former congressman may also still be deported, it added.*