MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has returned to the Philippines but failed to bring home expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. from Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste authorities are reviewing the country’s request for the former congressman’s custody and the request made by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), according to NBI Director Medardo De Lemos on Sunday.
“Legal process po ito ng Timor… at tayo naman bilang requesting party sa pamamagitan ng Interpol ay mag-aantay kung ano ang termination point at process nila doon sa kanilang bansa,” De Lemos said.
He also debunked reports that Philippine authorities who tried to capture a photo of Teves inside a detention cell did so to mock him, saying that it was only a “proof of life.”
“Tayo naman ay pinahintulutan ng Presidente mismong ng Timor-Leste na si President Jose Ramos-Horta na kumuha ng litrato parang proof of life na nasa kanila na nga po si Congressman Teves,” he said.
“Eh sabi namin papaano namin malalaman na si Congressman Teves ‘yan. Hindi nila mai-harap sa amin si Congressman Teves dahil nakadapa ang tao sa selda, kung si Congressman man yun eh naawa kami,” he added.
According to De Lemos, President Ramos-Horta is also hoping for a faster evaluation so Teves will be sent back immediately, where he will be facing trial for being the alleged mastermind in the murder of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona last year.
Meanwhile, De Lemos assured that Teves is in good condition.
“Ang sabi nga niya, natatakot siya sa kanyang buhay so sabi namin nirerespeto namin po yan at kami po ay may commitment na hindi sya mapapahamak at walang mangyayaring masama sa kanya, tapusin lang ang proseso,” he said.
Teves was arrested by Timor-Leste’s Scientific and Criminal Investigation Police in Dili while playing golf after being placed on “Red Notice” by Interpol in February.
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