MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to offer its assistance to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in case expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. returns to the country from Timor-Leste.
Since the expelled lawmaker’s arrest on March 21, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the police force has been closely coordinating with the NBI once the national government’s request for Teves’s possible deportation is approved.
“If ever kailangan ang assistance ng PNP in terms sa possible pagbabalik niya dito, ‘yung ating custodial facility is available in case there is a need to temporarily detain him dito sa atin. The PNP is ready to provide,” Fajardo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.
(If ever they need the PNP’s assistance for Teves’ possible return here, our custodial facility is available in case they need to temporarily detain him with us.)
“I understand ang ating gobyerno ay nag-e-exert ng effort nagpe-presenta ng evidence to show the East Timor government that we have enough legal basis to request for possible deportation ni Cong. Teves,” she added.
(I understand that our government is exerting effort to present evidence to show the East Timor government that we have a legal basis to request his deportation.)
Members of Interpol apprehended Teves while golfing in Timor-Leste, and he has been detained in that country since.
The expelled lawmaker was tagged as the mastermind of the assassination of late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March last year when armed gunmen attacked his residential compound in Pamplona town.
READ: 6 of Teves’ associates in police custody — PNP
Moreover, Teves is facing charges for his alleged involvement in the killing of three persons from March to June 2019 and for violating gun-control laws after high-powered weapons and rounds of ammunition were found on his family property.
He was expelled from the House of Representatives for his long unauthorized absence, his asylum bid, and his indecent behavior on social media in August last year. He was designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council in the same year for reportedly coddling an armed group.
The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel Teves’ passport after he was declared a fugitive from justice just February this year.