• East Timor has deported Arnolfo Teves Jr., a former Philippine lawmaker, under allegations of orchestrating a political assassination.
• The decision to deport Teves is seen as an effort to strengthen East Timor's bid for ASEAN membership.
• Teves faces multiple murder charges related to the killing of former governor Roel Degamo in March 2023.
• The deportation follows prolonged legal battles and political negotiations between Eastern Timor and the Philippines.
• Philippine officials expressed readiness to expedite Teves' return and secure justice for the victims.

East Timor has deported Arnolfo Teves Jr., a former Philippine lawmaker accused of orchestrating the assassination of then-governor Roel Degamo, in a move linked to its aspirations for membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Teves had been in East Timor since shortly before the murder in March 2023, evading extradition until his recent deportation was announced, which was described by the East Timorese government as necessary due to national security risks, according to SCMP, India Times, and Channel News Asia.

The decision to deport Teves comes after nearly two years of complicated political negotiations, during which a Timorese court blocked his extradition on suspicions of political persecution by the Philippines. However, East Timor's commitment to achieving full ASEAN membership intensified pressures for collaboration on legal matters, reinforcing the urgency to deal with extradition requests from the Philippines. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. indicated that Teves would now face justice upon his return to the country, as noted by Channel News Asia and SCMP.

Teves has been at the center of a high-profile murder case, having been accused of masterminding the March 2023 attack that resulted in the deaths of Degamo and nine others. The incident occurred while Degamo was distributing aid in Pamplona, and the murder came shortly after a contested election, which saw Henry Teves, Arnolfo’s brother, ousted. Teves was previously expelled from the Philippine House of Representatives for refusing to return and face charges, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.

Although Teves' lawyer branded the arrest and deportation as unlawful, asserting that it was executed without a valid warrant, legal analysts anticipate that East Timor's decision reflects broader regional commitments rather than merely bilateral issues. "This operation suggests a newfound commitment by East Timor to fulfill its ASEAN obligations," remarked Gary Ador Dionisio of De La Salle University, highlighting the connection between the legal proceedings and seamless cooperation within ASEAN, as emphasized by SCMP and Channel News Asia.