BACOLOD CITY – Pamplona, Negros Oriental Mayor Janice Degamo lamented the decision of the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals to deny the extradition request of the Philippine government for former Negros Oriental third district Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. who is facing multiple murder charges over the killing of her husband Gov. Roel Degamo and eight civilians in Pamplona town in 2023.
TEVES (Mayor Janice Degamo FB page)
“To my brothers and sisters of Negros, it is surprising and confusing how the Timor-Leste Court reversed its decision. We can’t help but think that the Court in Timor-Leste could be influenced,” she wrote in the local dialect in her Facebook page.
Despite this, Janice believes that the government will do its best to bring Teves back home so he can face multiple murder and frustrated murder charges against him and his associates in a Manila court.
She said the Philippine government petitioned Teves’ extradition.
Janice is concerned that if a warrant of arrest is issued against Teves’ brother Henry, who is also facing murder and multiple murder charges filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), he might escape to Timor-Leste or another country.
She said that she will try to meet Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla next week to shed light on the reason for the reversal of the decision and get updates on the government’s next steps.
The Timor-Leste Court of Appeal granted the Philippines’ extradition requests for Teves in June and December 2024. His camp contested and appealed the rulings.
Teves denied the allegations against him.