Pamplona Mayor Janice Vallega-Degamo has expressed hope that ousted Negros Oriental 3rd District Cong. Arnie Teves would be brought back to the Philippines soon so he could face the criminal charges in connection with the killing of her husband, Gov. Roel Degamo, and nine others.
The Pamplona Mayor made the comment on national TV hours after the reported arrest of Teves in Dili, Timor Leste.
The arrest of Teves was made possible through the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies, including the International Criminal Police Organization (InterPol) – National Central Bureau in Dili, in coordination with its Scientific & Criminal Investigation Police (PCIC).
“Words cannot express how it feels to finally see the man who terrorized our Province, and brutally murdered my husband surrounded by police. Dalaygon ang buhi nga Dios!,” Degamo posted on Facebook.
A news release from the Department of Justice said Teves was nabbed at around 4 p.m. Thursday at the Top Golf Driving Range & Bar in Dili, Timor Leste.
Teves is facing multiple murder charges in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others in March 2023, and three others in 2019.
“Today’s [Thursday] apprehension of Teves is a testament to the power of international cooperation,” Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement. “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.”
Teves is now under the custody of the Timorese police while his extradition to the Philippines is being worked out by NCB-Dili in coordination with the team from NCB-Manila, and the Dili- Philippine Embassy.
On Feb. 28, the DOJ announced that the Interpol has issued a Red Notice against Teves, while a team from the National Bureau of Investigation will be sent to the last known whereabouts of Teves.
“(East) Timor may apprehend Teves. However, they might prefer us to send a team there. Most likely, we will dispatch a team to Timor to execute the warrant,” Justice Secretary Remulla said then.
A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
Prior to the Red Notice, the regular passport of Teves was canceled by a Manila court, and his diplomatic passport revoked by Congress, as it was valid only within his official leave.
Secretary Remulla said Teves must face his long-delayed trial “squarely” without setting any conditions.
He likewise thanked Philippine law enforcement teams and international partners for their relentless efforts in fighting lawlessness to achieving peace.
“The capture of Teves only proves that through concerted efforts and determination, terrorism can be thwarted, and peace preserved,” Remulla added.
During Degamo’s first death anniversary on March 4, Pamplona Mayor Janice recalled her husband’s devotion to his duty.
“Roel was governor not for the power or the title but because he loved his fellow NegOrenses more than life itself. He made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure peace and prosperity in our Province, and I will do whatever it takes to honor his legacy by bringing lasting peace to our great Province. ‘Building a better Negros Oriental’ will always be my No. 1 priority,” she said.
Janice Degamo will seek a congressional seat for the 3rd District in the 2025 polls. It remains vacant after Teves was kicked out in August last year, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez serving as caretaker of the southwestern/southern towns (Valencia, Bacong, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City, and Basay) of Negros Oriental. (with a report from PNA)
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Photo caption: Personnel from the Polizia Cientfica de Investigacao Criminal in Timor Leste locate former Negros Oriental Cong. Arnie Teves in a driving range in the capital city of Dili, and provisionally arrest him, after the Philippine government requested the International Criminal Police Organization (InterPol) to put him in the Red Notice, resulting in his detention pending extradition proceedings so he could face the criminal charges lodged against him for the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others last year. (Timor Leste Police photo)
