Arnolfo Teves rearrested in Timor Leste; son cries ‘kidnap’
Former Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves is seen here in a press briefing in Pasig City on January 12, 2023. (INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)
MANILA, Philippines — Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. was arrested Tuesday 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.”
Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the arrest happened at 8 p.m. (Dili time).
“Our client, Rep. Arnolfo Teves, was taken from his residence in Dili together with his Timor Leste counsel, Dr. Joao Serra, by Immigration police. The lawyer was manhandled by the said police,” Topacio told reporters.
He said Teves and the lawyer are both detained at the Ministry of the Interior.
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 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 evening, May 27, 2025.
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.”
Meanwhile, Janice Degamo, widow of slain governor Roel Degamo said Teves’ arrest is a welcome development.
“This arrest is a significant step toward justice, not only for our family, but for the people of Negros Oriental and the entire nation who were shaken by the horrific footage of my husband and 9 others being mercilessly gunned down on March 4th, 2023,” she said in a statement.
She added: “For over two years, our call has been clear and unwavering, that those responsible for this heinous crime must be held accountable, no matter how far they run or how long they hide.” /apl
