FORMER Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention facility situated inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
Teves was brought Friday morning, May 30, 2025, to Building 14 of the NBP, which is under the control and management of the NBI.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago assured the safety and security of Teves, noting that his cell is distinct and separate from Bilibid detainees who were convicted of various crimes.
Teves, who is facing murder and frustrated murder charges for allegedly masterminding the killing of then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, along with several other innocent civilians in broad daylight on March 4, 2023, was arrested in Dili City in Timor-Leste on May 27.
While the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals earlier rejected the Philippine government's request to extradite Teves, it ordered his deportation, citing that his presence in the country poses a risk to public order and national security, and represents a serious and unacceptable situation.
The court also noted that both the Philippines and Timor-Leste are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Teves, escorted by Santiago along with other NBI and DOJ officials, arrived in the Philippines Thursday evening.
He underwent a booking procedure at the NBI office and spent the night there together with his mother and Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.
In a press conference, Teves said he is glad to finally be back home and see his family, especially his mother.
He said what prevented him from returning after charges were filed against him in connection with Degamo’s killing was fear for his and his family’s lives.
“Of course, malungkot ako syempre dahil makukulong ako. Dito kasi, makukulong ka kahit hindi ka pa convicted. On the other hand, I'm also glad since I haven't seen my mother for two years. My father died last December. Hindi naman ako nakauwi and it’s quite painful. At least matapos na rin kasi kahit nung nandon ako, inisip ko kahit hindi naman ako umuwi, haharapin ko pa rin ito matapos, e,” Teves said.
(Of course, I’m sad because I’m going to be imprisoned. Here, you can be detained even if you haven’t been convicted yet. On the other hand, I’m also glad because I haven’t seen my mother in two years. My father passed away last December. I wasn’t able to go home, and that was quite painful. At least now this will finally be over, because even when I was still there, I was already thinking that even if I couldn’t go home, I would still have to face this and get it over with.)
“Ang request ko lang sa korte sana mabilis ‘yung kaso dahil sa totoo lang, kung tatrabahuhin ang kaso, sandali lang naman matapos. I trust my lawyers and my conscience is clear. Sana lang mabilis ang proseso para matapos na,” he added.
(My only request to the court is for the case to proceed quickly because honestly, if the case is handled properly, it shouldn't take long to resolve. I trust my lawyers, and my conscience is clear. I just hope the process is swift so this can finally be over.)
Teves said he is ready to face anyone, including Degamo’s wife, Negros Oriental Third District Representative Janice Degamo.
Teves is also facing murder charges in relation to the killing of three individuals in the province in 2019, including Miguel Dungog, a former board member of Negros Oriental. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)