Degamo Widow Thanks Marcos, NBI for Teves Return

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo of Negros Oriental expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his Cabinet, and Timor-Leste authorities for facilitating the return of former congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to the Philippines.

“Thank you Mr. President (Ferdinand) Bongbong Marcos for being the strong, caring leader that you are, for all of us who have suffered from the injustices of the Teves group,” the mayor said in a social media post.

Following Teves’ deportation from Timor-Leste on May 29, after his arrest by immigration authorities on May 28, Mayor Degamo called it an emotional and significant moment for her family and for justice.

“Today has been a truly emotional day for our family as we witness a powerful reminder that while justice may take time, it never forgets,” she said.

She praised the Philippine government for its “unwavering pursuit of accountability.”

“God is good all the time! Justice will prevail. For the first time in more than two years, Arnie Teves is back in the Philippines in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI),” she said.

She added that the country’s commitment to justice had “never faltered,” and the return of Teves shows that “when the government stands firm for what is right, justice prevails.”

“For over two years, Arnie Teves has evaded justice,” she said, adding that his return marks a major step in confronting impunity and reaffirming the rule of law.

She also thanked Timor-Leste for not harboring fugitives, particularly those accused of heinous crimes like the Pamplona massacre that killed her husband, Gov. Roel Degamo, and nine others in March 2023.

“This is not just a legal issue, it is a moral one,” she said.

Mayor Degamo vowed to pursue justice in court, calling the event a victory not only for her family but also for Filipinos seeking a fairer and safer country.

She said she looks forward to facing Teves in court to bring justice to her husband and to help restore peace in Negros Oriental.

“I will never stop fighting until we receive the justice we deserve,” she said.

She encouraged other victims to come forward, declaring that “today is the first day of a new Negros Oriental.”

Teves has been tagged as the alleged mastermind in the assassination of Gov. Degamo and nine civilians.

His camp has denied the allegations.

“This is not just about one man’s arrest,” Mayor Degamo said.

“This is about standing up to a culture of impunity that for too long has persisted in our country,” she added.

“It’s about sending a message that no one is above the law and that evil will never triumph.”