Teves back from Timor-Leste

Expelled Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was flown back to the Philippines yesterday after TimorLeste ordered his "immediate deportation."

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

A Philippine Air Force (PAF) plane with law enforcement authorities led by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago picked up Teves in Dili yesterday morning following the Timor-Leste Ministry of the Interior's order for the deportation of Teves, tagged as the mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.

The plane landed in Davao at 7:30 p.m. to refuel before proceeding to the PAF headquarters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

In issuing the order, Dili authorities said Teves is "a threat to national security and interests." "We waited two years for this to happen. And now, we thank God that this reckoning that we have been waiting for is finally happening, as it should be.

He (Teves) must face the charges against him here," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

Degamo's widow, Negros Oriental representative-elect Janice Degamo, hailed the deportation.

"The government of Timor-Leste has recognized what we have long known to be true, that the continued presence of Arnie Teves in their country compromises regional peace, security and the rule of law," Degamo said.

BBM thanks Dili

It's time for Teves to face his cases here in the Philippines, President Marcos, said as he recognized Timor-Leste's role in bringing the expelled lawmaker back to the country.

In a video statement, Marcos said he was first informed by Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of his government's readiness to send Teves back to the Philippines during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

"This would not have happened without the assistance of President (José Ramos) Horta and Prime Minister Gusmão of Timor-Leste.