Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the arrest of former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. is a strong message from the government that no one is above the law.

Remulla, in a statement, said Teves' arrest is also a strong message that the government will not stop until justice is served.

"Today, our government sends a clear message: justice is patient, persistent, and absolute and no one is beyond the reach of our laws," Remulla said.

"Upon instructions from the President, we have brought back to the Philippines, Mr. Arnolfo Teves, Jr., to face the murder charges that have been filed against him for the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and nine (9) others on March 4, 2023," he added.

Remulla said that as the Chair of Task Force Degamo, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) "sees this arrest as a strong message that our government will not stop until justice is served."

"This is the result of years of coordinated effort across government, guided by the priorities set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. This arrest reflects the determination of our law enforcement agencies to track down and bring back those who attempt to evade justice," Remulla stressed.

He added that the DILG worked closely with the Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, and other agencies to make sure the deportation of Teves was done safely and properly.

"He must now face the charges and go through the legal process," Remulla said.

"We also sincerely thank the Ministry of the Interior of Timor-Leste for their support. This shows how important international cooperation is in making sure those who break the law are held accountable," Remulla pointed out.