Manila: The safe return of former Negros Oriental Representative Arnulfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr. to the Philippines was not an abduction but a lawful enforcement of existing arrest warrants. Presidential Communication Office Assistant Secretary Erel Cabatbat, a member of the government extraction team, said this during a Palace press briefing on Friday, in response to a social media post from Axl Teves, son of the fugitive lawmaker, that his father was kidnapped and abused.
According to Philippines News Agency, Cabatbat emphasized the respect for Axl Teves' statement but clarified that the operation was a legal implementation of the law, as arrest warrants had been issued and needed to be enforced. He explained that the arrest warrant originated in the Philippines, and in accordance with legal procedures, Teves was returned to the country where the warrant was issued.
Cabatbat also clarified that the operation followed legal procedures and was conducted peacefully in coordination with Timor-Leste authorities. Meanwhile, Cabatbat credited the success of the operation to the diplomatic efforts made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
He stated that the operation, carried out by officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Immigration, and the Philippine Air Force, was made possible through high-level coordination and diplomacy initiated by President Marcos during a meeting with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmo at the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mission was executed under direct instructions from the President, who had earlier secured a commitment from Timor-Leste's leadership.
Teves had been residing in Timor Leste for over two years while facing multiple criminal charges in the Philippines, connected to the high-profile assassination of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in 2023 and other murder cases in 2019. He was formally turned over to Philippine authorities at the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili on Thursday afternoon.
Cabatbat narrated that there was an initial discussion that Representative Teves would be handed over immediately upon their arrival, though minor changes occurred. Despite this, the turnover proceeded smoothly, involving the signing of several documents before Teves was brought out in handcuffs and shackles.
Teves was flown back to the Philippines under tight security and handed over to the NBI after landing at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. During the flight, he was read his Miranda rights and informed of about 10 pending arrest warrants against him.
