Former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. will return to the Philippines once the court proceedings in Timor Leste end, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Medardo De Lemos said on Monday, March 26.
In a press conference, De Lemos said Timor Leste officials had explained to them that there is a court process for Teves' release.
"Ipe-present si [former] Congressman Teves sa korte para malaman kung ano ang gagawin. Gano'n daw ang proseso sa Timor, kung ano mga steps ang mga gagawin kung sakaling pagbibigyan ang hiling ng Pilipinas na maibalik si Cong. Teves dito [...] Very challenging, talagang ayaw [i-release]," he said.
Teves' case proceeding is expected to be resolved within seven to 40 days, according to the NBI director.
The Philippine Embassy in Timor Leste has vowed to monitor the embattled lawmaker's court proceedings.
"At may assurance naman sa atin si Director Monteiro na i-update niya tayo kung ano ang magiging terminal point ng court processings," De Lamos added.
The former lawmaker is presently detained in Timor Leste, and the NBI director is confident that Teves will be escorted back to the Philippines.
"Ang priority ngayon ay maibalik siya kasi noon nga, nagkakandarapa tayo malaman kung nasaan siya, from the US, nag-Combodia, tapos Timor. It's a major victory for us to have located [former] Congressman Teves and to have him arrested by the local authorities. Nandoon na siya. Hinihintay na lang natin yung legal process," the NBI director said.
Last week, the justice department confirmed that Teves, who is listed in the International Police's red notice, was captured while playing golf in Dili, East Timor.
De Lamos together with his team flew immediately to Timor Leste and met with Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and Timorse law enforcement officials.
The NBI director and his team also had a chance to meet and talk with Teves.
