Teves’ passport already canceled, DFA confirms

Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s passport has already been canceled, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed to reporters on Friday.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza disclosed the matter after she was asked about the former congressman’s passport status.

“It has been canceled per info from [Office of Consular Affairs]” said Daza.

In a separate message to INQUIRER.net, Daza explained that once a passport is tagged in the passport system as canceled, it will be a “red flag for any application in all DFA consular offices within and outside the Philippines.”

“At the same time, the cancellation is reported to both [Bureau of Immigration] and to the Interpol office in PH. The Interpol office in PH will report this cancellation to Interpol HQ which will put the passport in its alert system in all international border controls,” she said.

The Department of Justice on Thursday night confirmed the arrest of Teves in Timor Leste.

The expelled congressman is accused of orchestrating the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in Negros Oriental.