The national government prioritzes the safe return of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnulfo ‘Arnie’ Teves Jr. to the country from Timor Leste, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Mico Clavano on Friday, March 22.
Interviewed on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Clavano said Teves must arrive and be detained in a facility safe.
“Ang pinaka-priority ng gobyerno ngayon ay ang ligtas na pagbabalik ni former congressman Teves. Kailangan ligtas siya para maharap lahat ng charges na nasa korte ngayon. That would be the main priority,” he said.
“Non-bailable ang multiple murder charges sa kanya. He will probably has to be detained in a very safe location para madala siya doon sa korte. Ayun ang pinaka-priority natin,” Clavano added.
Atty. Mico Clavano, DOJ Spokesperson sa paghuli kay Teves: Kahapon ng mga bandang alas-4 ng hapon, nahuli si former congressman Arnulfo Teves sa Dili, Timor Leste.#DamdamingBayan#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) March 22, 2024
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The exact detention facility has yet been decided, but the DOJ spokesperson said they are looking at New Bilibid Prison, Camp Crame, or the National Bureau of Investigation detention as options.
As per the DOJ spokesperson, a team, composed of members from law and enforcement agencies, is now in Timor Leste, and they will meet with Timor Leste officials to discuss security concerns.
The said team will then escort the embattled lawmaker back to the Philippines.
The DOJ, in a statement on Thursday, confirmed that Teves was arrested while he was playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar in Dili, Timor Leste.
The former Negros Oriental lawmaker, according to Clavano, is now an undesirable alien in Timor Leste following the cancelation of his passport.
Teves, who is a designated terrorist, is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives and multiple murder charges for the 2019 killings in Negros Oriental and the Pamplona Massacre in March 2023.
