Former Philippine Lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. Arrested in Timor-Leste

Arnoflo Teves Jr. was arrested by Timor-Leste immigration police at his residence. He, along with his legal counsel, was not shown any warrant or written authority for the detention. Teves is undocumented after his passport was canceled in relation to serious charges, including a massacre in Negros Oriental. The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated him as a terrorist due to these allegations.

Arnoflo Teves Jr., the former representative of Negros Oriental’s 3rd District, has been detained by immigration authorities in Timor-Leste. This news came to light through his attorney, Ferdinand Topacio, on Wednesday, May 28. Teves was reportedly arrested at his home at approximately 8 PM local time on Tuesday, May 27.

Topacio also revealed that Dr. Joao Sera, Teves’s legal counsel in Timor-Leste, was apprehended alongside him. The lawyer criticized the manner of their detention, stating that neither Teves nor Dr. Sera were presented with a warrant or any official documentation regarding the grounds for their arrest. In a disturbing turn of events, he alleged that Dr. Sera had been mishandled during the arrest.

Currently, both Teves and Dr. Sera are being held at the Ministry of the Interior’s compound. Topacio confirmed that Teves has legal representation present within the facility, with another lawyer accompanying him. The situation has drawn attention due to Teves’s undocumented status following the cancellation of his passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This passport cancellation stemmed from a Manila court’s order amid serious allegations against Teves, connected to the March 4, 2023 massacre in Pamplona, Negros Oriental. The brutal attack led to the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and nine additional individuals. Due to these events, Teves has been designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), which includes various attacks purportedly linked to him in the region.

In summary, Arnolfo Teves Jr. has been arrested in Timor-Leste by immigration authorities, alongside his legal counsel. No official warrants were presented at the time of their arrest, which is raising some eyebrows. Teves’s legal troubles are compounded by serious criminal allegations, including his role in a massacre earlier this year that has led to his designation as a terrorist. The unfolding situation has drawn significant media attention.

Original Source: politiko.com.ph