Villanueva, Gatchalian say Teves arrest step toward achieving justice
Filipino national Arnolfo Teves (C), a murder suspect, is escorted by East Timorese security personnel for deportation to his home country at Presidente Nicolau Lobato airport in Dili on May 29, 2025, after the East Timorese government decided to deport Teves for being an illegal immigrant deemed a threat to national security. East Timor has agreed to deport an Interpol-wanted Philippines murder suspect after two years of political wrangling, with the government linking the case to its aspirations to join the regional ASEAN bloc. Former Philippines congressman Arnolfo Teves allegedly masterminded a March 2023 attack that killed then-provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine others. (Photo by Valentino Dariell De Sousa / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — “A chance for [Degamo family] to continue their search for justice.”
This was how Sen. Joel Villanueva described on Thursday the deportation of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves to the Philippines.
Speaking to reporters in an interview, Villanueva said the development surrounding the Degamo slay is a “step forward in the pursuit of justice.”
“We welcome this development as a step forward in the pursuit of justice. It will provide former Negros Oriental Rep. Teves the opportunity to face the charges against him while also giving the Degamo family a chance to continue their search for justice,” said Villanueva.
“We stand united with the Degamo family and all affected families in finally achieving closure in the brutal killing of our good friend, former Governor Roel Degamo, and all other victims,” he added.
READ: Teves to be held at NBI detention facility in Bilibid
This was echoed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who likewise emphasized the need for justice to be finally served.
“Admittedly, with what former Congressman Teves did, the entire country was affected by it because it was done in broad daylight. The house of the former governor was broken into. Many were shocked and surprised by what he did,” said Gatchalian in Filipino.
With what happened, Gatchalian said the reputation of the Philippines was tarnished.
“So it’s good for us to achieve justice, and here we can see international cooperation. That’s also important because criminality today, not just in the Philippines, is emerging. Like Pogo, it goes to other countries; like this, it can hide in other countries. So our relationships with other countries are important,” he explained.
Teves was slapped with charges of murder and other crimes linked to the killing of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in 2023.
To recall, Teves refused to return to the Philippines after the killings and was expelled from the House of Representatives in 2023.
He was then designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, which linked him to a string of killings in Negros Oriental.
The plane carrying Teves from Timor Leste landed at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City at around 11:25 p.m. on Thursday./mr
