Timor-Leste says former Philippine lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. will be deported, in a decision that could end one of the most closely watched cross-border fugitive cases in Southeast Asia.

The announcement came after Teves was arrested by immigration authorities in Dili. According to the reporting, the arrest took place at his home on May 27, and the government later said he was being removed because he lacked a valid visa, had no legal authorization to remain and was carrying a passport canceled by the Philippines.

The deportation move was framed by Timorese authorities as a matter of migration law and public order. They said the decision takes effect immediately and pointed to the risks that Teves’ continued presence was said to pose to national security and stability.

For Manila, the development is important because Teves has been wanted in connection with the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in 2023. He has also faced accusations tied to earlier killings in his home province. The Department of Justice said it was ready to arrange a transfer of custody by the fastest means available.

The case has moved through multiple legal and political stages. Teves was previously arrested in Timor-Leste, sought asylum, and later faced extradition proceedings. His legal team has challenged those efforts, including by filing a habeas corpus petition that his lawyers said was granted by a Timorese court.

That legal push matters because the case sits at the intersection of immigration enforcement, criminal accountability and judicial review. The Timorese government’s administrative decision does not end the possibility of court involvement, but it does raise the pressure on Teves’ side as officials seek to remove him from the country.

The Degamo family also welcomed the development. Janice Degamo, the slain governor’s widow and now an incoming representative, described the arrest as a major step toward accountability and said the pursuit of justice had been driven by the same demand for more than two years.

Teves’ case has already involved Interpol notices, Philippine warrants and competing rulings in Timor-Leste. The latest turn suggests the host government is now leaning toward deportation rather than continued shelter, even as the judicial picture remains complex.

For the Philippines, the outcome could finally open a path to return Teves to face domestic proceedings. For Timor-Leste, it is also a signal that the country wants its migration decisions aligned with wider regional obligations and domestic security concerns as it deepens ties with ASEAN.

Fact mapping - Timor-Leste says Teves will be deported. [source 5301] - He was arrested by Timorese immigration police and held in custody. [source 5301] - Timor-Leste said he lacked a valid visa and legal authorization to remain. [source 5301] - The DOJ said it was ready to arrange transfer of custody. [source 5301] - The case is tied to the Degamo killing and long-running extradition disputes. [source 5301]