MANILA – Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the suspected mastermind in the murder of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, was arrested while playing golf in Timor Leste on Thursday afternoon.
According to Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the former Negros Oriental congressman was at theTop Golf Driving Range and Bar when he was apprehended by the Timorese police.
“Today’s apprehension of Teves is a testament to the power of international cooperation. It sends a clear message that no terrorist can evade justice and that nations stand united in safeguarding the safety and security of their citizens,” Remulla said on Thursday night.
“The capture of Teves only proves that through concerted efforts and determination, terrorism can be thwarted and peace preserved,” he added.
The DOJ official also urged the expelled Negros Oriental lawmaker to face his “long-delayed trial without setting any conditions, face the courts squarely.”
Pamplona mayor Janice Degamo, the widow of Degamo, described the arrest of Teves as “an answered prayer” and the whole Degamo family is delighted with the development.
“Matagal tagal kaming nagdasal at naghintay na talagang this day would come and praise God po, nahuli na siya,” said Janice said in an interview with GTV’s Balitanghali on Friday.
“I think it would be enough for us to see him in jail and once and for all prove that the jail is for everyone. It is not only for the poor, the deprived, the people who are not connected,” she added.
It was only last month when Remulla announced that International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) had issued a red notice for Teves for multiple murder cases, including the death of Degamo.
A red notice is a “request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.”
Remulla also said the Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Dili is coordinating with a team from Manila and the Philippine Embassy in Dili on Teves’ extradition to the Philippines.
“We thank Philippine and international law enforcement partners for the arrest and their relentless efforts in fighting lawlessness to [achieve] peace,” Remulla said.
Teves is facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges for the killing of Degamo and several other at the then-governor’s home in Negros Oriental on March 4, 2023.
Aside from the murder of Degamo, the expelled lawmaker and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Teves was designated as a terrorist along with 11 others by the Anti-Terrorism Council in June 2023 and was expelled from his elective position in August, 2023.
In February 2024, the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel his passport after he was declared a fugitive from justice./PN
