Former representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s legal team has filed an urgent motion seeking his continued detention at a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) high security facility.

The request cited safety concerns and the Philippine government’s commitments under international agreements following Teves’s deportation from Timor-Leste on 29 May.

Teves, who is facing multiple murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosive charges, was deported despite a Timor-Leste court having blocked his extradition due to concerns of “torture or inhuman treatment” in the Philippines, a decision that referenced testimony from human rights experts and Philippine officials.

Upon Teves’s repatriation, the Department of Justice (DoJ) signed a “certificate of handover” with Timor-Leste, guaranteeing his protection from torture and his access to legal and medical care.

In the motion, Teves’s lawyers argued the government’s commitments necessitated his detention in a DoJ-controlled facility, specifically Building 14 at the National Bilibid Prison compound, which is under the control of the NBI.

His lawyers described Building 14 as compliant with international detention standards, offering a secure environment and lower risk of violence compared to the overcrowded jails.

They also highlighted concerns of potential retaliation by the victims’ families due to the high-profile nature of the cases against Teves.

The motion cited precedents, such as the detention of former senators Leila de Lima and Juan Ponce Enrile in specialized facilities.