Timor-Leste grants Philippines' request to extradite Teves -- DOJ
The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed last night, June 27, the grant by the Timor-Leste government of the extradition of fugitive and expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves on request of the Philippines.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said: “The DOJ confirms the grant of the extradition request made by the Philippine government. The information was relayed to us by the Attorney-General of Timor-Leste. We have won.”
Clavano also said: “We look forward to the arrival of Mr. Teves so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts.”
Teves and several others have been charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder for the March 4, 2023 deaths of 10 persons, including Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, and injuries to 18 others in Pamplona town.
The cases filed in Negros Oriental had been ordered transferred to Manila by the Supreme Court (SC).
On Sept. 5, 2023, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Merianthe Pacita M. Zuraek of Branch 51 issued an arrest order against Teves and his co-accused. The arrest order against Teves could not be enforced since the former congressman has been abroad long before the filing of the cases in court.
Teves sought political asylym in Timor-Leste which denied his plea.
Last March 21, local authorities of Timor Leste arrested Teves while playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar in capital city of Dili pursuant to the red notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
The Philippines sought his extradition.
Aside from Teves, the 11 other co-accused are Marvin Miranda, Rogelio Antipolo Jr., Rommel Pattaguan, Winrich Isturis, John Louie Gonyon, Dahniel Lora, Eulogio Gonyon Jr., Joric Labrador, Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, and Jhudiel Rivero.
On top of the murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder cases, Teves had been designated terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council and his assets in the Philippines had been ordered frozen. Terrorism charges have been filed against him and several other respondents before the DOJ.
He is also facing murder charges for the deaths of three persons in Negros Oriental in 2019.