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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ asks Teves to face charges in Philippines not before any international body

DOJ asks Teves to face charges in Philippines not before any international body

Published Mar 25, 2024 06:27 am

The Department of Justice (DOJ) asked expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr., who was arrested in Timor-Leste last March 21, to face the charges against him in the Philippines, not before any international body like the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR).

Through Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV, the DOJ reacted to the plan of Teves' lawyers both in the Philippines and in Timor-Leste to elevate the expelled legistator's case before the UNCHR.

“We do not recognize or acknowledge any camp that refuses to go through our own justice system," Clavano said. 

He pointed out: "The brutal crimes happened here in the Philippines. The families of the victims are here in the Philippines. So, we want justice to be served here in the Philippines."

Teves, who has been designated as a terrorist in July 2023 by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), is facing charges of 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 over the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where 10 persons were killed including provincial governor Roel S. Degamo.

The RTC has already issued an arrest warrant against Teves on Sept. 5, 2023 and later released an order dated Feb. 5, 2024 that directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to have his passport canceled.

The International Police Organization (Interpol) also issued last February a "red notice" against Teves.  The "red notice" is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

The "red notice" led to the arrest of Teves while playing golf in the capital city of Dili.

Teves' lawyer Ferdinand Topacio had said that the legal team in Timor-Leste, is considering “bringing the persecution of Rep. Teves to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.”

Topacio said that "one of the lawyers in Timor-Leste is a recognized expert on international human rights."

He said tht Teves remains detained in Timor-Leste to face trial.

He confirmed that the Philippine delegation led by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Medardo G. Delos had left Timor-Leste “after realizing that they would not be able to bring Mr. Teves home with them until after the trial.”

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