Suspended third district congressman of Negros Oriental Arnolfo Teves Jr. was confirmed to be in Timor Leste and has sought a protection visa amid terrorist designation and murder accusations.
Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla said the suspended lawmaker’s application for a protection visa was with the intent to seek asylum.
Teves entered Timor-Leste about a week ago, according to information received from the Philippine ambassador in Timor Leste.
In his letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Remulla sought the agency’s help to notify Timor Leste that Teves is a person of interest in murder cases and is being considered for designation as a terrorist.
The justice department in late April moved to label Teves as a terrorist over his refusal to return to the Philippines due to alleged threats to his life.
Teves has been accused of involvement in the murder of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several others.
