Muntinlupa City: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced that former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves will be detained at the agency's custodial facility at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

According to Philippines News Agency, NBI Director Jaime Santiago made the announcement as the agency presented Teves to the media at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City. Santiago credited the repatriation of Teves to the Philippines to the exceptional statesmanship displayed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his communications with Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta.

Santiago explained that due to renovations at the NBI custodial facility along Taft Avenue in Manila, Teves would be housed at the NBP under an arrangement with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). "We have no detention facilities," said Santiago, adding that they coordinated with BuCor to secure Building 14, which is distinct from the facility housing convicted criminals.

Building 14 has previously been used to accommodate convicted drug lords, and Santiago assured that it would be under NBI control with their personnel overseeing operations. He also mentioned that any penalty imposed on Teves would not exceed 40 years, in line with commitments made by the Philippine government.

Teves expressed satisfaction with his treatment under NBI custody, stating, "I feel safer with the NBI detention. I am thankful to the NBI director and all the NBI staff for their treatment."

Teves was transported from Timor-Leste to the Philippines on a Philippine Air Force plane, departing Timor-Leste at 2:42 p.m. Thursday (Manila time) and arriving in Davao City at 7:27 p.m. After refueling, the plane continued to Villamor Air Base, where Teves was formally turned over to the NBI at 12:03 a.m. Friday.

Teves is facing multiple criminal charges, including the high-profile assassination of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in 2023, as well as other murder cases from 2019.