TIMOR-LESTE has granted the request of the Philippine government to extradite former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the Department of Justice said last night.
“The Department of Justice confirms the grant of the extradition request made by the Philippine government. The information was relayed to us by the Attorney-General of Timor-Leste. We have won,” Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano told reporters in a Viber message.
“We look forward to the arrival of Mr. Teves so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts,” he added.
Teves is facing murder charges before a Manila court for allegedly masterminding the brazen killing of a political rival, Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, on March 4 last year. Nine others were killed in the attack on Degamo’s house in the province.
Aside from the Degamo case, Teves is also facing murder charges in connection with other killings in the province in 2019, including that of a former provincial board member.
The Anti-Terrorism Council has declared Teves a terrorist while his passport has been cancelled by a Manila court.
Earlier, Clavano said they expect a ruling this month from the Timor-Leste court on Manila’s request to extradite Teves.
Teves was arrested in Dili, Timor-Leste in March. His apprehension came three weeks after the International Criminal Police Organization placed him on its red notice system and his passport was cancelled.
Teves’ lead counsel Ferdinand Topacio has yet to issue a statement on the latest development involving his client.
Degamo’s widow, Mayor Janice Vallega Degamo, welcomed the development, adding Teves should be returned home to face justice “for all the pain he has caused our province.”
“Tonight a message was sent to the Teves terrorist group that no matter how much money you have you cannot escape justice for what you’ve done,” she added.
