Expelled Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. became emotional after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) allowed his mother, Zenaida Teves, to visit him following his return to the country to face charges after a two-year stay in Timor-Leste.
The former lawmaker was caught on video embracing his mother upon their reunion, before also embracing his legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.
Teves is facing a string of criminal charges, such as murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
These charges are primarily linked to the March 2023 assassination of Governor Roel Degamo and other alleged violent acts.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said Teves arrived in the country shortly after midnight. Upon arriving at the agency’s office, he underwent standard intake procedures, including fingerprinting, the taking of his mugshot, and a medical examination.
Later on, Teves’ legal counsel and his mother also arrived at the agency's office. Santiago said he permitted the two to visit Teves and granted them private time to confer in light of the circumstances.
In the morning, Teves appeared before members of the media alongside his lawyer and his mother. Earlier, Teves expressed sadness over his situation, admitting that he was disheartened by the reality of being detained.
Teves urged the court to act swiftly on his case, adding that with due diligence, the matter could be resolved quickly.
His mother, on the other hand, expressed her gratitude to the entire NBI for the respectful and humane treatment given to her son.
"For the last two years, hindi kami nagkita and hindi ko rin siya mapuntahan doon sa Timor-Leste because my husband was also in and out of the hospital. We were not able to go home to Negros [Oriental] the past two years until my husband passed away last December 24," said Zenaida Teves.
"Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na after two years, nakita ko na, naakap ko na ang anak ko," she added.
She also expressed gratitude to those who have been supporting them through their prayers. When asked what advice she gave her son, she said, "ang bilin ko talaga sa kaniya is parating manalangin. Thy will be done. Alam niya 'yon."
After being turned over by Timorese authorities, Teves was flown back to the Philippines, where he was first brought to the NBI headquarters in Pasay City.
He is now being held at the NBI’s detention facility located within the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) compound in Muntinlupa.
