Due to safety concerns and Timor-Leste's compliance with international agreements, the legal team of former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. has filed an urgent motion seeking his continued detention at a high-security facility under the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Teves, who faces charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives as well as alleged involvement in multiple murders, was forcibly deported from Timor-Leste on 29 May 2025. This came despite a ruling by the Tribunal de Recursos blocking his extradition, citing fears of “torture or inhuman treatment” if returned to the Philippines.

The Timorese court had based its decision on testimony from human rights experts and Philippine officials. In response, the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a "Certificate of Handover" with Timor-Leste upon Teves’ repatriation, guaranteeing his protection from torture and his right to legal and medical care.

The motion contends that these commitments obligate the government to detain Teves in a DOJ-controlled facility — specifically, Building 14 at the New Bilibid Prison compound, which is managed by the NBI. His lawyers described the facility as compliant with international detention standards and emphasized its secure environment and low risk of violence, unlike overcrowded jails.

They also raised concerns about potential retaliation from victims’ families, given the high-profile nature of the case.

The motion cited precedents, including the detention of former senators Leila de Lima and Juan Ponce Enrile in specialized facilities, to support their appeal.

If the court grants the request, Teves would remain in NBI custody pending trial—ensuring compliance with the terms of his repatriation. The court has yet to issue a ruling.