Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves, Jr. is now under house arrest in Timor-Leste, according to the Department of Justice on Thursday, June 13.
In a statement, the DOJ said the Prosecutor General's Office of Timor-Leste has officially placed Teves under house arrest.
"He will be under 24-hour security, with only family members permitted to visit him," the DOJ said.
DOJ assured that the government will continue monitoring the situation "to ensure that all procedures are both valid and appropriate."
It can be recalled last Tuesday when the DOJ said Teves was released but subsequently re-arrested and they are still working on his extradition.
The statement came after Teve's legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio's announced that Teves was released from detention because “our government screwed up,” alleging that the Philippines filed its extradition request out of time.
“The statements of Attorney Topacio are misleading, highly irresponsible and an insult to both countries,” DOJ Spokesperson Mico Clavano stressed.
Meanwhile, Topacio said on Tuesday's interview in DZRH that he was not lying by saying that Teves was only "taken into custody" and not "rearrested".
The DOJ called out the camp of Teves to stop 'dilly-dallying' and just deal with the charges filed against the former congressman.
