2019 killing of Miguel Lopez Dungog Negros Oriental Provincial Board member Miguel Lopez Dungog was shot dead outside the Silliman Medical Center in
Dumaguete in 2019. Teves along with Richard Cuadra and Rolando Pinili were charged with murder for Dungog's killing. In January 2026, the three suspects were acquitted from charges due to insufficient evidence from the prosecution.
Pamplona massacre On March 4, 2023, one month after the Supreme Court proclaimed
Roel Degamo as governor of Negros Oriental in a contested election versus Arnolfo Teves' brother, former governor
Pryde Henry Teves, Degamo was
assassinated in his home in
Pamplona, Negros Oriental. Eleven suspects were arrested by the police in multiple operations across the province. Two of the suspects named a certain 'Cong Teves' as the mastermind in an
ambush interview with the media. Teves has denied any involvement in his death, criticizing those who had tried to accuse him and citing that the Teves's have nothing to gain. He has been on medical leave in the United States since February 28, and in March 15, has requested for a two-month leave, citing a "very grave threat" to his life and his family. On March 22, 2023, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to suspend Teves for failing to return to the country despite having an expired travel clearance. The travel authority issued to Teves was valid only between February 28 and March 9. Teves remained abroad. On May 9, Teves had an application to seek political asylum in
Timor-Leste which was rejected. The following day, the
Department of Justice (DOJ) was informed that a
blue notice was issued against Teves by
Interpol. On July 26, 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated him, his brother
Pryde Henry and 11 others as terrorists due to their links to "alleged killings and harassments," including Degamo's murder, in Negros Oriental. This was the first time the council designated an elected official as a terrorist. In response, Teves criticized President
Bongbong Marcos, First Lady
Liza Araneta Marcos, several members of his Cabinet, House Speaker
Martin Romualdez and others in an online press conference for using his case to distract from other issues in the country, while his lawyer called his terrorist designation an "overreaction". On August 26, the DOJ announced that murder charges were filed before a regional trial court in
Manila against Teves over Degamo's assassination. On September 5, the court released an arrest warrant for Teves over the murder. As of September 13, the DOJ believed that Teves is in hiding somewhere in Southeast Asia under the protection of local warlords. Later that month, Teves was confirmed to be staying in Timor-Leste by former senator
Manny Pacquiao, who visited the country for an official visit. His passport was ordered cancelled by such court on February 9, 2024. DOJ Secretary
Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on February 29 that Interpol issued a
red notice for Teves, which officially designated him as a "Fugitive Wanted for Prosecution". On March 21, Teves was arrested by Timorese police at a golf course in
Dili., May 30, 2025On June 10, 2024, Teves's lawyer,
Ferdinand Topacio, said that his client had been freed from
detention at Becora Prison,
Dili, adding that he will attend further hearings. Former
CHR Commissioner Wilhelm "Beebong" D. Soriano will be offered as
expert witness. The DOJ however said that his release was procedural and that he was rearrested by East Timorese police, adding that his extradition trial will continue. On June 13, Teves was placed under house arrest by the
East Timor Supreme Court of Justice, citing his being a "flight risk". On June 22, it was announced that Teves was ordered released from house arrest. On June 27, the DOJ said that Timor-Leste had approved Teves's extradition to the Philippines. However, the extradition was denied by the
Court of Appeal of Timor-Leste on March 20, 2025. On May 28, 2025, Teves was arrested at his Dili residence, during which he allegedly sustained injuries. Later that night, the Timor-Leste government deported Teves and imposed a 10-year entry ban, declaring him a "threat to national security and interests." The decision was made following assurances by Philippine authorities to the Timor-Leste government that Teves would not be subjected to the death penalty or other inhumane treatment in the Philippines. Teves arrived in the Philippines on May 29 and was detained the next day at the
New Bilibid Prison in
Muntinlupa. He refused to enter a plea at his arraignment on June 5. On June 11, he was transferred to
Camp Bagong Diwa following a court order. On June 17, he underwent an appendectomy at the
Philippine General Hospital after suffering severe stomach pains. On September 12, Teves was allowed to post bail by the court. ==Personal life==