28/05/2025
BREAKING: Arnie Teves forcibly arrested by Timor-Leste police — “Kidnapped,” claims his camp
Controversial former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. was forcibly arrested by authorities in Timor-Leste late Monday night, in what his legal team is now calling a “kidnapping.”
Sources say Teves, who has been on the run and seeking political asylum after being tagged in the brutal assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo, was apprehended without prior notice or coordination with his legal counsel. Witnesses claim he was taken by force from a private residence and whisked away by local police.
His camp was quick to label the arrest a “violation of international due process,” accusing Timor-Leste authorities of bypassing diplomatic protocols and acting under pressure from the Philippine government.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Justice welcomed the arrest, calling it a significant step toward justice. DOJ officials have confirmed they are coordinating with Timor-Leste for Teves’ immediate deportation or extradition.
Teves, suspended from Congress and designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, has long denied any involvement in the Degamo slay case. His legal team insists this latest development is politically motivated.
As of this writing, no official statement has been released by Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice.
🎥: Axl Teves
