Negros Oriental Representative-elect Janice Degamo has welcomed the arrest of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. in Timor-Leste as a key step in the fight for justice, nearly two years after her husband, Governor Roel Degamo, was gunned down in a brazen daylight attack.
In a Thursday radio interview, Degamo admitted she was initially skeptical of early reports about Teves’ arrest, thinking it might be another publicity ploy.
"I thought at first its' another drama... But later in the day, I received multiple news articles from Timor-Leste, and later on its becoming something," she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Degamo also confirmed she had not reached out to any Philippine officials handling the case, explaining that it was important to let authorities do their jobs.
“I've not heard from anyone of them and I'm also not calling for now because I'm thinking that if this is really happening, then there are really people in the offices who are truly doing their work and we do not want to interfere or get in the way,” she added.
She expressed concern upon seeing footage of Teves in what appeared to be a comfortable setting in Dili, which contradicted earlier reports that he was in detention.
"It was only when that video showed up that I saw, it's a good life if you look at where he was taken. Contrary to what we believed that they were in jail," she said. "From time to time he is active on his social media account."
Teves was arrested Tuesday evening in Timor-Leste’s capital by immigration police. According to his lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, no warrant or official explanation was provided. Both Teves and his Timorese legal counsel, Dr. Joao Serra, were detained, with Serra allegedly manhandled during the operation.
Teves' legal team has since filed a habeas corpus petition and is exploring a second legal route to stop his possible deportation to the Philippines, citing a previous court ruling denying extradition on human rights grounds.
Teves has long denied involvement in the killing of Degamo and nine others in what has become known as the Pamplona Massacre. He was expelled from Congress last year after refusing to return and has since sought asylum in Timor-Leste.
Despite an earlier court decision blocking his extradition, Timorese President José Ramos-Horta has called for Teves’ removal, saying the country must not become a safe haven for regional fugitives.
Philippine authorities are now working closely with Timor-Leste officials to finalize legal steps that could bring Teves home to face charges.
In an earlier statement, Degamo said “This is not just personal justice for my family, but a victory for the people of Negros Oriental and the Filipino public, many of whom were horrified by the massacre captured on CCTV and shared widely online. For over two years, our message has been clear — those responsible must be held accountable, no matter how far they run or how long they hide.”