Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos stated that authorities are now focusing on apprehending former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., now that dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and religious leader Apollo Quiboloy are in custody.
"Hopefully, makukuha na rin si Teves. Ito 'yung pumatay kay Degamo," Abalos said during a press conference in Dubai on Sunday.
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was assassinated in 2023 while distributing aid in Pamplona. Teves has been accused of being involved in the incident.
Teves has also been charged in connection with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. Since March, he has been in the custody of Timor Leste police following his arrest based on an Interpol red notice issued in February.
He has consistently denied the charges and has refused to return to the Philippines.
Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano stated that the agency is working with the DILG and other government agencies, as Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta seeks to return Teves to the Philippines.
“I don’t think that the president of Timor-Leste wants him to stay [there] any longer,” Clavano said during a news forum on Saturday.
Clavano stated that the government is prepared for the extradition process, which is expected to take place after Pope Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste next week.
This statement is supported by Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, who mentioned that Teves will be returned within the month. He noted that an Air Force plane has been arranged for the transport, with an agreement already in place for the aircraft to come from the Air Force.
