FORMER Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. was “released” and but later rearrested by Timor-Leste police, the Department of Justice said yesterday.
Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano issued the update hours after Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told the media that his client has been released from preventive detention.
“As an update, the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste (PNTL) has taken him into custody to continue to stand trial for his anticipated extradition,” Clavano said.
“The release and subsequent re-arrest of the former congressman from prison to the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste is part of the country’s process,” Clavano further said, adding the DOJ “was able to submit all requirements ahead of time and in a manner fully compliant with Timor-Leste’s law.”
He said the DOJ will get a more detailed explanation from Timor-Leste authorities later.
“The Timor-Leste government is now preparing a brief for us,” Clavano added.
Earlier, Topacio said Teves was released from Becora Prison where he was detained after he was arrested by Timor police based on the extradition request from Manila.
“Rep. Arnoldo Teves was released from preventive detention pending his extradition trial, my Timor-Leste counterparts inform me, because the request for extradition by the Philippines government was made out of time and in a manner that is not sanctioned by practice and customary international law. In other words, our government ‘screwed up.’ Thus, his imprisonment was declared illegal,” Topacio said in a statement Monday afternoon.
“According to CRA Law Office and Dr. Jose Ximenez, there are still judicial proceedings that Rep. Teves will have to undergo relating to his continued stay in Timor-Leste which will start tomorrow, and he will be present therein, together with witnesses in his favor, including former Human Rights Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano, who will be presented as an expert in human rights,” Topacio added.
He said his client understands that the “road to justice” will not be easy.”
Clavano took a swipe at Topacio for his statements.
“He said Topacio’s statements were “misleading, highly irresponsible and an insult to both countries.”
“He ought to know that while he owes fealty to his client, he remains an officer of the court and must act accordingly to maintain its majesty and integrity,” he added.
Clavano noted that the Timor-Leste police took Teves into custody to stand trial for his anticipated extradition.
“The Department is confident that the extradition proceedings will be successful. In addition, the former congressman may also still be deported depending on the direction taken by the Timor-Leste government in coordination with the Philippines,” Clavano said.
“The Philippines, as the requesting party, must respect and participate in the legal proceedings of Timor-Leste underscoring the sovereignty of each country,” he added.
Last month, the DOJ said Teves’ return to the country is in the hands of the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste.
This after Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice forwarded Manila’s request to deny the political asylum bid of Teves, who was tagged as the mastermind in the March 2023 attack that killed Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Teves is also facing murder charges in connection with several killings in the province in 2019, including the murder of a former provincial board member.
Teves was arrested in Dili, Timor-Leste while playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar last March.
His apprehension came three weeks after the International Criminal Police Organization placed him on its red notice system and his passport was cancelled by the Manila City regional trial court.
Teves has been declared a fugitive from justice following the issuance of arrest warrants by the local courts in connection with the criminal charges filed against him.
He left the country for the United States ostensibly for medical purposes days before gunmen assassinated Degamo in his residence.
But instead of returning to the country after his US trip ended, Teves opted to seek political asylum in Timor-Leste after he was implicated as mastermind in the Degamo’s killing.
In May 2023, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the application for political asylum of Teves was denied.
The DOJ later said that Teves is asking Timor-Leste to reconsider its denial.
