Photo credit: NBI

MUNTINLUPA CITY, Philippines – Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. was transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention facility located within the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City on Friday, just hours after his deportation from Timor-Leste.

Teves arrived at Building 14, the NBI’s dedicated detention facility, at 12:46 p.m. NBI Director Jaime Santiago clarified that Building 14 is distinct and separate from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) operations, emphasizing it remains “supervised and maintained by the NBI” and is under their full control. Santiago assured that strict protocols would be enforced, and Teves would initially be placed in a solo room to acclimate to detention, without receiving any VIP treatment.

The NBI is set to return the warrant to the court handling Teves’ case on the same day as his transfer.

Both Teves and his legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, publicly commended the NBI for respecting Teves’ rights throughout his deportation and subsequent arrest in the Philippines.

Building 14’s history and security

Building 14, located within the NBP’s Maximum Security Compound, is known for its high-security features. Its gate is separate from the main penitentiary entrance, and its inmates are isolated from the general prison population. The facility boasts 29 cells, each measuring 8 square meters, and is equipped with CCTV cameras and signal jammers, overseen by its own dedicated guards. Historically, Building 14 served as a death chamber, where 84 inmates were executed, the last being on October 21, 1976.

Teves’ return and legal battle

Teves’ return to the Philippines on Thursday night follows approximately two years since he was accused of orchestrating the March 2023 attack that killed then-Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others. Teves has consistently denied his involvement in Degamo’s death.

Before his transfer to NBI detention, Teves faced the media on Friday morning, accompanied by his mother Zenaida Teves and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio.

His deportation from Timor-Leste came as an abrupt turnaround, with the Timorese court previously blocking his extradition. However, Timor-Leste announced Teves’ impending deportation late Wednesday, citing his continued presence as a security risk. The country also referenced its “imminent full accession” to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as reinforcing its responsibility for regional legal collaboration.

The March 4, 2023, killings occurred when six armed individuals in military fatigues opened fire on Degamo at his home in Pamplona while he was distributing aid. The attack followed months after Degamo was declared the winner of a disputed electoral vote, unseating Henry Teves, the former lawmaker’s brother.

Arnolfo Teves Jr. was expelled from the House of Representatives after refusing to return to the Philippines to face the murder charges. On Wednesday, Teves’ son Axl posted social media videos alleging his father had been “kidnapped” by Timorese police. Conversely, Degamo’s widow, Janice, hailed the arrest as a “significant step toward justice.”