Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday assured the public that the government will guarantee the safety of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who was deported to the Philippines to face multiple murder and terrorism charges.

Remulla said authorities will ensure Teves’ security following his return, as the embattled lawmaker has been identified as the alleged mastermind in the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo — a killing that shocked the nation in March 2023.

The DOJ chief said he has yet to speak with incoming Gov. Janice Degamo or Bayawan City Mayor Jhonie Degamo but believes the family is aware of recent developments. “Hopefully, the time will come when justice will truly prevail in our country. This is a big step towards implementing justice in the Philippines,” he said.

Asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had been briefed, Remulla said they had not spoken directly, but one of his staff members would update the President soon.

Remulla also emphasized that deportation and extradition matters fall exclusively under the executive branch's authority — not the judiciary’s.

“I was challenging one of the people who wanted to enter our country, but the executive should assert its right to deport people who should really be declared persona non grata. That’s how it works — it’s an executive function,” Remulla said.

Without naming Teves directly, Remulla criticized legal maneuvers that cause undue delays in judicial proceedings. “Granting the judiciary the power to change the rules as they go along—that’s not acceptable. There should be no inexhaustible appeals. That is not worthy of a mature judicial system,” he added.

Teves, who had been in Timor-Leste for several months, was the subject of an international manhunt and multiple charges related to the Degamo assassination. The Philippine government had sought his extradition, but legal delays in the process led to widespread public frustration.