đź“·Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. | OneNew.PH
IN an apparent display of “impartiality,” the Court of Appeals in Dili, Timor-Leste ordered former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. to be placed on house arrest, days after he was supposedly released.
In a report which appeared on Hatutan.com, a Timor-Leste media agency, the court cited Teves as a “flight risk” and should therefore be restricted from going elsewhere just like what he did in April 2023 when he entered Timor-Leste using a private plane.
Teves was ordered to stay in a rented house with a monthly rent of $10,000 with his wife and two children and more than 20 employees – 10 of which were Filipino and another 10 natives of Timor Leste.
According to the court, Teves has been receiving financial support from a construction firm where is reportedly a part-owner.
“Given the facts above, it is concluded that the risk of flight persists for the extradite, especially since he has the financial means to leave Timor-Leste,” the Court said.
The Court said that flight risk is mitigated by applying the Coercive Measure of House Arrest as provided in art. 193 of the C.P.P., in addition to the Terms of Identity and Residence (T.I.R.) provided in art. 186 of the C.P.P.
“I order… the arrested individual below named is to be taken to House Arrest at his residence to await further extradition proceedings,” it said.
Meanwhile, Teves’ lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio said that while it is true that his client was placed under house arrest, he claimed that the former congressman isn’t a flight risk.
“After having determined that he is not a flight risk and that he has not violated any laws, he was placed under guard in his residence simply to ensure his attendance in the hearings,” Topacio told reporters.
As this developed, Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Raul Vasquez doesn’t seem to be bethered by the most recent development.
“Regardless of whether he is in custody, rearrested, or house arrest, he is under the control of the police authorities,” Vasquez said.
Teves, who was arrested several weeks ago in Dili while playing golf, is facing a long list of murder charges which include the the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona, Negros Oriental in March last year.
Teves also forms part of the Philippine government’s list of terrorists. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
