Government of Timor-Leste

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

.............................................................................................................................

May 29th, 2025

Press Release 

Government Announces that Arnolfo Teves Jr. Has Already Been Deported and Handed Over to Philippine Authorities

The Government informs that Filipino citizen Arnolfo Teves Jr. was deported today, May 29, 2025, by administrative decision of the Ministry of the Interior, and is already in the custody of the competent authorities of the Republic of the Philippines.

This decision stems from the finding that the citizen in question was in the country without a valid visa, without legal authorisation to remain, and with a passport that his country of origin had revoked. The measure is based on national legislation on migration and asylum and is justified by the risks that this citizen's continued presence poses to public order and national security.

Arnolfo Teves Jr. faces several criminal charges in the Philippines, including 13 counts of murder, 13 counts of frustrated murder, and 4 counts of attempted murder, related to crimes committed between 2019 and 2023, including the murder of the then Governor of Negros Oriental, Roel Degamo.

The Government also informs that Teves Jr. cannot be sentenced to death, as Law No. 9346 of the Republic of the Philippines abolished capital punishment. Even if it were to be reinstated, it could not be imposed in this case, as it cannot be applied retroactively.

Arnolfo Teves Jr. shall not be subjected to any form of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or cruel punishment, in accordance with Section 19, Article III of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9745, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention against Torture, to which the Republic of the Philippines is a signatory.

The Philippine authorities also guarantee that throughout the criminal proceedings, Teves will have the right to be informed of the charges against him once they have been presented to a court, to have a competent and independent lawyer of his choice, to a fair, impartial, and public trial, to confront prosecution witnesses, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the taking of evidence on his behalf.

Through this decision, the Government reaffirms its determination to ensure that Timor-Leste is not used as a refuge by individuals escaping international justice. It restates its commitment to the principles of the rule of law, respect for international norms of cooperation between States, and the safeguarding of security and stability, not only within its national territory but also across the Southeast Asia region, in collaboration with the joint efforts of ASEAN member states. END