The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, Sept. 17, has assured to bring expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr. back to the Philippines.
“No amount of underhanded tactics will derail our determination to get this fugitive home to face the murder charges,” said DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Rem,ulla in a statement.
“The victims need Justice,” Remulla declared.
Teves, who has been designated terrorist in July last year by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), is facing multiple charges in the Philippines including those pending before Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 for 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder for the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where 10 persons were killed including provincial governor Roel Degamo. The court has issued arrest order against Teves.
The expelled legislator is also facing murder charges for the deaths of three persons in 2019.
The DOJ's statement was issued in response to claims that a court in Timor-Leste nullified the decision granting the extradition of Teves back to the Philippines.
“Contrary to these claims, the proper court in Timor-Leste has already ruled, based on the merits, that Mr. Teves should be extradited to the Philippines,” said DOJ said.
However, it said that “Mr. Teves’ legal team is now attempting to contest this ruling on procedural grounds, specifically questioning the number of judges involved in the decision.”
“This is a clear afterthought, raised only after the proceedings had concluded unfavorably for him,” it said.
“In Philippine law, such a move would be barred under the principle of estoppel, which prevents a party from challenging procedural issues if they actively participated in the process and failed to raise objections earlier,” it added.
The DOJ noted “Mr. Teves and his representatives were fully engaged in the proceedings, had the opportunity to present their case, and were afforded due process throughout.”