Teves now detained in NBI's facility at NBP

Tormer Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr., who was deported from Timor-Leste, has been turned over to the facility of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City on Friday, May 30.

- By JEFFREY DAMICOG

“We will accord him all his rights. Proteksyunan namin na hindi s’ya masaktan sa aming pangangalaga (We will protect him and ensure that he will not get hurt while under our care),” said NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago during a press conference.

Santiago, who was part of the team that picked up Teves in Timor-Leste, also assured that no special treatment will be given to the former congressman.

“Walang hocus pocus doon. Parehas ang treatment. Walang torture, walang ano pa man (There is no hocus pocus there. There is equal treatment. There is no torture or whatever),” he also said.

Teves, who was declared a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, was ordered arrested by the courts on charges of multiple murder, multiple attempted murder, and other criminal offense.

He left the Philippine before the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023 and has not returned since then. His unofficial leave of absences prompted the House of Representatives to expel him as a member.