Dili, May 31 2025 (Média Democracia) – Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is a Filipino politician and businessman who rose to prominence in both the Philippines and Timor-Leste due to his alleged involvement in a high-profile political assassination case. This information was obtained by Média Democracia via WhatsApp.
Teves comes from a politically influential family in the Negros Oriental region of the Philippines and is the brother of former Governor Pryde Henry Teves. He served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 2020 to 2022.
Arnolfo Teves Jr. faces multiple criminal charges in the Philippines, including 13 counts of murder, 13 counts of attempted murder, and 4 counts of frustrated murder. These charges are related to a series of crimes committed between 2019 and 2023, including the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo at his residence. The Philippine Department of Justice subsequently filed charges and placed Teves on an international wanted list.
While in Dili, Timor-Leste, Teves denied any involvement in the crimes and refused to return to the Philippines, citing serious threats to his safety and that of his family. He applied for asylum in Timor-Leste, but his request was denied.
On 28 May 2025, Teves was arrested by Timor-Leste immigration authorities for staying in the country without a valid visa. His passport had also been officially canceled by the Philippine government. The Timorese government stated that his presence posed a threat to regional stability and could damage the country’s international reputation, particularly as Timor-Leste prepares for ASEAN accession.
Further clarifying the incident, Teves was arrested by immigration police at his residence in Metiaut and held in custody for two nights. On Thursday, 29 May 2025, at 13:50 local time, he was deported to the Philippines aboard a Philippine Air Force jet, No. Jet 142.
Report: Domingas
Photo: Media Officer PR