Arnolfo Teves Jr. Arrested by Timor-Leste Immigration Authorities

Arnolfo Teves Jr., former congressman, was arrested in Timor-Leste immigration authorities on May 27. His lawyer claims no warrant was shown for the arrest, and both he and his lawyer, Dr. Joao Sera, were detained. Teves is undocumented after his passport was revoked due to charges related to a massacre in 2023.

Arnolfo Teves Jr., former representative of Negros Oriental’s 3rd District, has been apprehended by immigration authorities in Timor-Leste, according to his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. The arrest took place at Teves’s residence at 8 PM on Tuesday, May 27, local time. Alongside Teves, his Timor-Leste legal counsel, Dr. Joao Sera, was also taken into custody.

Topacio expressed that neither Mr. Teves nor Dr. Sera were presented with a warrant or any documented justification for their detention. It was also reported that Dr. Sera experienced physical mistreatment by the immigration officers. Currently, both Teves and Sera are being held in the facility of the Ministry of the Interior, with legal representation for Teves present in the compound.

Teves has been without valid documentation since the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revoked his passport under the directive of a Manila court. This court action is linked to the charges he faces concerning the tragic massacre that occurred on March 4, 2023, in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted in the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.

Moreover, Teves has been labeled a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) following the aforementioned incident, along with other alleged terrorist activities in the region.

The arrest of Arnolfo Teves Jr. highlights ongoing legal issues connected to his alleged involvement in a massacre in the Philippines, compounded by his undocumented status abroad. The manner of his detention has raised concerns about due process and the treatment of his legal counsel. As he remains in custody, further developments regarding his legal battles are expected to unfold.

Original Source: politiko.com.ph