JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla yesterday expressed exasperation over the seemingly endless appeals process in the extradition of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. from Timor-Leste, but said an update on the case is expected soon.
Teves is facing multiple murder charges before a Manila court in connection with the 2023 attack that killed Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
He is also charged in the 2019 killing of three individuals, including a former board member in Negros Oriental, while the Anti-Terrorism Council has branded him a terrorist.
“The appeal process in Timor-Leste seems to be endless, but I was assured that we will get the news, the update, very soon about this matter,” Remulla told reporters.
He said he understands the challenges facing their quest to bring Teves back to Manila.
“They have a very young judicial system. It is not yet mature. We don’t really know the limits. That’s why they’re still figuring out a way to make the justice system as sophisticated as ours,” he added.
Timor-Leste, previously known as East Timor, is one of the world’s newest democracies, having gained independence only in 2002.
The DOJ chief, however, said they will not stop their efforts to extradite Teves so he can face the criminal charges against him.
“We at the DOJ don’t stop. We follow up. And if I have to go back there, I will speak to the leadership again,” he added.
Timor-Leste first rejected Teves’ bid for asylum in August last year, but his camp filed a petition seeking to reverse the ruling.
The DOJ said the second petition was also junked in December last year. After Teves’ second petition was denied, the DOJ said he may still appeal.
Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said last month that his client was still in Timor-Leste’s capital Dili, awaiting developments on his appeal.
Despite the delays, the DOJ expressed confidence that the Timor-Leste court will again rule in favor of the Philippine government and the expelled lawmaker will eventually be extradited to the country.
Teves has denied all the allegations against him but has refused to return to the Philippines, saying he feared for his safety and that of his family.
