Pamplona Mayor Janice Vallega-Degamo has thanked the Timore Leste government for their decision to deport fugitive former Cong. Arnolfo Teves Jr. to the Philippines to face the criminal cases against him.
“I thank the Timorese authorities for their courage and clarity in declaring that harboring fugitives — especially those wanted for heinous crimes like the Pamplona massacre — is unacceptable,” said Degamo, widow of slain Gov. Roel Degamo in a social media post.
Degamo and family members of the victims of the March 4, 2023 Pamplona Massacre held a press conference Friday at the Provincial Capitol, where they recounted the events that transpired on that fateful day.
The victims expressed relief that Teves, the suspected mastermind in the killing, is finally back in the Philippines to face the charges.
Teves arrived in Manila on Thursday evening, and was placed in a custodial facility of the National Bureau of Investigation at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, news reports said.
Meanwhile, Teves spoke to reporters Friday from the NBI headquarters, saying while he is sad that he will go to prison, he is happy to be back after a two-year absence.
He said his conscience is clear, and that he is confident he will be cleared of the crimes charged against him. (AP)
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Photo Caption: Victims of the Pamplona massacre, led by Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo and Provincial Health Officer Liland Estacion, recount the tragic event of March 4, 2023, that killed Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others at the Degmao residence in the northern town. (Photo by Judy F. Partlow)
