Interpol issues red notice for former lawmaker Teves

Expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Wednesday that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) had issued a red notice for expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is facing multiple charges.

Remulla said that following the issuance of the red notice, there would be an “active search” for Teves, who was reportedly hiding in East Timor after his petition for political asylum was denied.

According to Interpol, a red notice is not an international arrest warrant but rather a “request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.”

“The individuals are wanted by the requesting member country or international tribunal. Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person,” it said on its website.

The status of the former lawmaker who has been declared a fugitive from justice was elevated from “suspect” to “Fugitive Wanted for Prosecution” in the Interpol notice. The Red Notice indicated that he may be found in Cambodia, one of Interpol’s founding members.

Teves is facing arrest on multiple charges, including murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder, the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) said in a statement.

READ: Teves on Interpol red notice, target of global manhunt — DOJ

“The ATC urges international cooperation and vigilance to apprehend Mr. Teves, underscoring the global commitment to combating transnational crime and bringing fugitives to justice,” it added.

Teves is accused of being the mastermind in the assassination of his political rival, former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, and nine other individuals in Pamplona town in the province on March 4, 2023.

He is also facing additional charges in connection with the killings of three individuals from March to June 2019 and for violating gun and explosives-related laws after high-powered weapons and ammunition were found in his family’s compound.

The ATC designated Teves and his affiliated armed group as a terrorist organization in June 2023, identifying both the group and its members as terrorist entities.

Earlier this month, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately cancel the passport of the former lawmaker.

Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 for disorderly conduct after he refused to come home despite the expiration of the travel authority given to him.