DOJ expects Timor-Leste's court to rule on Teves' deportation on June 20 or earlier


Timor-Leste's Court of Appeals is expected to release on June 20 or earlier its ruling on the deportation of expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Thursday, May 30.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV told reporters during a Zoom meeting: "The deadline for a decision by the Court of Appeals is June 20. But it can be earlier than that."

Teves was arrested last March 21 by law enforcers in Timor-Leste after the International Criminal Police (Interpol) issued a red notice against him.

Last Sept. 5, 2023, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 issued an arrest warrant against Teves who is multiple criminal facing charges over the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where 10 persons were killed including provincial governor Roel Degamo.

Later on Feb. 5, 2024, the Manila RTC issued an order directing the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to cancel Teves' passport. 

“So yun din ang nagiging basehan sa request for extradition natin (These are the bases of our request before Timor-Leste to extradite Teves),” said Clavano.  

“We attached all the resolutions and decisions relevant to this case para ma prove natin na yung mga basehan ng  Interpol red notice (to prove that there is a basis for the issuance of the Interpol red notice),” he added.

He said the submission of the resolution and documents was required by the Ministry of Justice of Timor-Leste.

After scrutinizing the request and the submitted documents, Clavano said the Timor-Leste Ministry of Justice endorsed the request of the DOJ to that country's Court of Appeals.