MANILA, Philippines — Timor-Leste required specific conditions before agreeing to deport expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. to the Philippines, according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago.
During a press conference on Friday, the NBI formally presented Teves to the media following his arrival from Timor-Leste, where he had been staying for over a year.
His return comes as he faces multiple charges related to the March 2023 killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in what has become known as the Pamplona massacre.
Santiago stated that Timor-Leste’s immigration authorities stipulated two key conditions for the deportation: the Philippine government must reduce any potential life sentence to a maximum of 40 years, and it must not impose the death penalty on Teves.
“These were part of the assurances given by the Philippine government to Timor-Leste,” Santiago said. “The conditions are consistent with international human rights standards.”
Teves was deported on Thursday and initially arrived in Davao City aboard a Philippine Air Force aircraft before being flown to Villamor Airbase, where he was taken into NBI custody.
Teves has been charged with multiple counts of murder and frustrated murder related to the Degamo case. He has denied involvement and maintains his innocence.
The NBI said further investigations and coordination with other law enforcement agencies will continue. Authorities reiterated their commitment to due process and upholding human rights as the case proceeds.
