Suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. is seeking asylum in Timor-Leste, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said, as reported by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA, in a letter dated April 29, said Teves was spotted in the Timor-Leste capital Dili to apply for a protection visa, DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed yesterday.

Remulla said he requested DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo last Monday, May 7, to advise him of the “concrete steps” to designate Teves as a terrorist.

“We wish to inform you that the [DOJ] has taken concrete steps to designate Congressman Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020,” Remulla said in his letter.

The lawmaker has yet to return to the country despite the expiration of his personal travel authority in March.

His suspension as a lawmaker is about to end on May 22.

Last month, Remulla said the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Teves are sufficient to designate him as a terrorist.

Timor-Leste was granted observer status last year in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the country was allowed to attend meetings, including the summit plenaries.

Meanwhile, Teves was tagged as the mastermind in the killing of rival Governor Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4.

On Sunday, May 8, the death toll in the Pamplona massacre had risen to 10, after provincial government employee Fredilino Cafe, Jr. succumbed to complications.

Remulla said they also received information of Teves sightings in Cambodia and Korea./With a report from PNA / WDJ