The Philippine Air Force (PAF) was tapped for booted Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s return to the Philippines after having fled to Timor Leste, the Department of Justice revealed on Monday, September 9.
“Teves is coming home very soon,” Justice Chief Jesus Crispin Remulla told reporters. “At expectation natin (And our expectation is) within the month.”
“Air Force airplane ang aming kinuha. May agreement kami para ‘yung eroplanong sasakyan ay manggagaling po sa ating Air Force,” he stated.
(We got an Air Force airplane. We have an agreement so that the airplane Teves is to be transported in will come from our Air Force.)
The former congressman has been charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51. He was allegedly one of two or three masterminds in the Pamplona massacre in 2023, which killed Governor Roel Degamo and others.
Fearing for his safety, Teves flew to Dili, Timor Leste and sought political asylum.
He was captured in March 2024 while at a golf club, and, with the Philippines’ request for his extradition approved, is set to fly home after the Pope’s visit to Timor Leste.
