A former Filipino congressman accused of orchestrating the killings of a provincial governor and several others has been apprehended in East Timor and is set to be deported to the Philippines, according to Philippine justice officials. Arnolfo Teves Jr. was arrested by police while playing golf in East Timor's capital, Dili, where he had attempted to seek asylum. The arrest was made following an Interpol red notice issued to locate and detain him.
Teves is facing murder charges in connection with the deaths of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight other individuals, who were attacked at his residence in Pamplona town last year. The incident, captured on security cameras, involved armed assailants entering Degamo's compound and opening fire, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Despite denying any involvement and claiming to have been framed, Teves is also linked to previous killings in Negros Oriental and violations of gun laws after authorities discovered weapons at his family's property. The arrest of Teves highlights the ongoing challenges of political conflicts and the presence of private armies and illegal firearms in the Philippines.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described the attack on Degamo as politically motivated and praised law enforcement efforts in capturing Teves. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized the importance of international cooperation in apprehending suspects and ensuring justice prevails.
Remulla urged Teves to face trial without conditions and emphasized the need for accountability in addressing acts of terrorism. The arrest serves as a reminder that individuals involved in criminal activities will be held accountable, regardless of their location.
The Philippines continues to grapple with historical issues of violence and insurgency, with past incidents like the 2009 Maguindanao massacre underscoring the challenges of political unrest and armed conflicts. While progress has been made in prosecuting perpetrators, there are still outstanding cases and fugitives related to such violent acts.
