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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Timor-Leste's application to be ASEAN member 'in jeopardy' -- DOJ Sec Remulla

Timor-Leste's application to be ASEAN member 'in jeopardy' -- DOJ Sec Remulla

Published Mar 25, 2025 05:11 am

Timor-Leste’s application to become a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is in jeopardy, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said on Tuesday, March 25.

Remulla's statement was issued after Timor-Leste's Court of Appeals denied the Philippine government's plea to extradite expelled congressman Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. who has been ordered arrested by the Manila regional trial court (RTC) on murder and frustrated murder charges.

“It is not going to be pleasant for Timor-Leste because they're applying to be in the ASEAN, and we one of the founding fathers of the ASEAN,” he said.

Aside from the Philippines, the other members of ASEAN are Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Remulla said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is currently in talks with Timor-Leste concerning the issue of Teves' extradition.

“All they have to do is deport him here. That's all they have to do,” he stressed.

Remulla reminded that Teves' passport had been cancelled.

After issuing two rulings last year that granted the extradition request, the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals granted the third appeal of Teves not to be returned to the Philippines.

“For them to go into certain matters that are intrinsically local to us, it's a big stretch,” Remulla pointed out.

Teves, who has been designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) last year, is facing multiple charges before the courts including the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where provincial governor Roel Degamo and nine other persons were killed.

The Manila RTC Branch 51 which is handling the case already issued a warrant for Teves' arrest on Sept. 5, 2023 and subsequently issued a Feb. 5, 2024 order that directed the DFA to have his passport cancelled.

Local authorities of Timor-Leste arrested Teves on March 21, 2024 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 Timor-Leste Court of Appeals later last year allowed Teves' release from custody while his extradition case remained pending.

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