The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) shared on Friday the details of the deportation and handover of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo ‘Arnie’ Teves, Jr. from Timor-Leste to the Philippines, citing good bilateral relations between the two Southeast Asian nations.
In a press briefing, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the turnover of Teves is a result of strong diplomatic ties established by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. with Timorese counterpart Jose Ramos-Horta.
“They finally decided to turn over to us the person of Congressman Teves because they believe that [he] has been staying in their country for two years now undocumented. They also considered the cases filed against him,” Santiago said.
The NBI chief also stressed that the Philippine government fully adhered to the conditions provided in the Certificate of Handover.
Among the key guarantees in the certificate include no irreducible life imprisonment, sentence will not exceed 40 years, no death penalty, no coerced evidence, absolute prohibition from inhuman treatment, fair and public trial, and non-political prosecution, among others.
The NBI recalled that on Wednesday evening, the joint team of Department of Justice (DOJ), NBI, Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Philippine Air Force (PAF) boarded the aircraft bound for Timor-Leste.
Later, the team met with Timor-Leste authorities to facilitate the processing of the deportation and formal turn-over of Teves on Thursday afternoon.
Upon boarding the PAF aircraft, he was handcuffed by the NBI and was read the Miranda rights.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., the aircraft arrived at Davao Airport for refueling and at approximately 11 p.m., they arrived at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.
Teves underwent medical examination, booking procedure, as well as standard mugshot procedure.
Santiago noted he allowed lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and Teves’ mother to visit the former lawmaker who has been out of the country for two years.
Teves will be transferred to the NBI’s detention facility at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
