By Luduvina V. Falcon
Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. is set to be extradited to the Philippines after Timor-Leste granted the Philippine government’s request for extradition.
Despite Teves’ plan to appeal before the Timor-Leste courts, the Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson, Mico Clavano, confirmed that Teves is expected to return to the Philippines by late July 1.
The extradition process relied on the framework of the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime, as there is no direct extradition treaty between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
Teves, who faces charges related to the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, had applied for political asylum in Timor-Leste but was denied1. His return to the Philippines will allow him to face trial for his alleged crimes in local courts.
“We do not have a death penalty here in the Philippines. We also have had certain reforms and efforts in human rights, protection of human rights,” Clavano explained.
He believed the court would affirm its decision once the motion for reconsideration is filed by Teves’ camp.
"I think it’s high time that they face the cases of multiple murders in the Philippines,” Clavano said.
Teves' legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, earlier said that the extradition decision is "still appealable" and a "recourse that we intend to take."“Then we still have the option of political asylum,” Topacio said.
Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in connection with the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
He fled to Dili and applied for political asylum.
In March, he was arrested at a golf driving range.
Early this month, he was released from Becora Prison but was re-arrested and transferred to the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste.
In August last year, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and his younger brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, as terrorists over their alleged involvement in several murder incidents and harassment in the province in the past years when they were still in public office.
Pryde Henry was likewise arrested in Barangay Taclobo, Dumaguete City on June 2 over his alleged involvement in terrorism activities. He posted bail of PHP600,000.0
Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. is set to be extradited to the Philippines after Timor-Leste granted the Philippine government’s request for extradition.
Despite Teves’ plan to appeal before the Timor-Leste courts, the Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson, Mico Clavano, confirmed that Teves is expected to return to the Philippines by late July 1.
The extradition process relied on the framework of the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime, as there is no direct extradition treaty between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
Teves, who faces charges related to the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, had applied for political asylum in Timor-Leste but was denied1. His return to the Philippines will allow him to face trial for his alleged crimes in local courts.
“We do not have a death penalty here in the Philippines. We also have had certain reforms and efforts in human rights, protection of human rights,” Clavano explained.
He believed the court would affirm its decision once the motion for reconsideration is filed by Teves’ camp.
"I think it’s high time that they face the cases of multiple murders in the Philippines,” Clavano said.
Teves' legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, earlier said that the extradition decision is "still appealable" and a "recourse that we intend to take."“Then we still have the option of political asylum,” Topacio said.
Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in connection with the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
He fled to Dili and applied for political asylum.
In March, he was arrested at a golf driving range.
Early this month, he was released from Becora Prison but was re-arrested and transferred to the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste.
In August last year, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and his younger brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, as terrorists over their alleged involvement in several murder incidents and harassment in the province in the past years when they were still in public office.
Pryde Henry was likewise arrested in Barangay Taclobo, Dumaguete City on June 2 over his alleged involvement in terrorism activities. He posted bail of PHP600,000.0