THE government of Timor-Leste has ordered the deportation of expelled Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. following his arrest in Dili City.
In a statement, the Timor-Leste government said Teves’ presence in their country poses risk to public order and national security and represents a serious and unacceptable situation, noting that both the Philippines and Timor-Leste are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
“His extended stay in Timor-Leste for over two years poses a disruptive factor in bilateral relations between the two States and establishes a serious precedent with potential implications for internal security. The perception that Timor-Leste might be viewed as a refuge for individuals fleeing international justice undermines the integrity of our borders and our shared efforts to combat transnational crime,” it said.
“The Government hereby informs that Arnolfo Teves Jr. will be deported from Timor-Leste by administrative decision of the Ministry of the Interior, as he is in the country without a valid visa, lacking legal authorisation to remain, and holding a passport that the Government of the Philippines has cancelled,” it added.
The order is effective immediately.
Teves is facing murder and frustrated murder charges in relation to the killing of then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, along with several other innocent civilians in broad daylight on March 4, 2023.
He 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.
The former lawmaker vehemently denied involvement in the said killings.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) welcomed the decision of the Timor Leste government on the administrative deportation of Teves.
In a statement, the agency said it has already mobilized a joint team composed of representatives from the DOJ, Bureau of Immigration (BI), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to coordinate closely with Timorese authorities and assist in the safe, secure, and lawful repatriation of Teves back to the Philippines.
It stated that the order includes a 10-year ban on reentry and is based on Timor-Leste’s domestic laws on migration and asylum, as well as on respect for the principles of international cooperation and Asean solidarity.
“The DOJ lauds this act of regional responsibility and reiterates its appreciation to the Government of Timor-Leste for its commitment to justice, international rule of law, and regional stability,” the DOJ said.
“As we await the arrival of Mr. Teves, the Philippine Government assures the public and the international community that due process will be strictly observed, and that justice will be pursued without fear or favor,” it added. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)