MANILA – Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s petition to reverse the granting of his extradition was rejected by Timor-Leste, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
According to Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the Timor-Leste’s verdict was “a significant step forward” to let Teves face his criminal cases in the Philippines.
“We wish to inform the public that his motion has been denied,” Remulla said in a statement on late Wednesday. “This decision underscores that justice proceeds irrespective of an individual’s status.”
Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals has earlier granted the Philippines’ request for the extradition of Teves, but the camp of the former congressman tried to appeal the verdict.
Teves was arrested in Dili, Timor Leste in March while playing golf based on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February.
The red notice stemmed from the multiple murder charges filed against Teves for the death of Degamo and others at the home of the then-governor in Negros Oriental on March 4, 2023.
Aside from the murder of Degamo, Teves and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Teves and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
He was also expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority./PN
