Suspended Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnie Teves had his asylum application rejected by Timor-Leste, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste confirmed the denial, leaving Teves in a tough spot.
Teves has been given five days to leave the country, with the option to appeal the decision. He has been outside the Philippines since February, refusing to return due to his alleged involvement in the assassination of incumbent Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
The attack resulted in 10 deaths, with another victim succumbing to injuries after two months. Teves had traveled to the United States under the pretext of medical reasons before the killing. Reports also suggest he was in Cambodia and South Korea during the investigation.
Secretary Boying Remulla accused Teves of funding and masterminding the attack. The filing of murder complaints has been delayed, but Remulla is pushing for their expedited submission.
Teves denies any connection to Degamo’s killing, citing safety concerns as the reason for not returning to the Philippines. However, he remains wanted for separate murder complaints filed in 2019 for killings in Negros Oriental province.
