The Department of Justice (DOJ) refuted lawyer Ferdinand Topacio’s claim that the court in Timor-Leste had revoked the former Negros Oriental 3rd District representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.’s extradition to the Philippines.
In a statement released on Tuesday, September 17, the DOJ said Teves and his representatives were fully engaged in the proceedings at the Timor-Leste court and were given due process.
The Justice Department also said that Teves’ camp’s approach was only an afterthought and an attempt to overturn the Timor-Leste court’s decision.
“Contrary to these claims, the proper court in Timor-Leste has already ruled, based on the merits, that Mr. Teves should be extradited to the Philippines,” the DOJ said.
“This is a clear afterthought, raised only after the proceedings had concluded unfavorably for him. Their recent objections only arose after they failed to secure a favorable outcome,” it added.
According to the DOJ, the Court of Appeals in Timor Leste will need to hold another trial in the extradition case.
It added that the same evidence would be presented before three judges in Timor Leste.
DOJ expressed its confidence that the new court proceeding will result in the same outcome as its previous decision to award the Philippine government’s extradition request for Teves.
“The legal merits are clear, and we expect that Mr. Teves will face justice in the Philippines soon, given the strong evidence against him in connection with multiple serious charges, including the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo,” it said.
Teves is currently being charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder at the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in connection with the March 4, 2023 massacres in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, which resulted in the deaths of Governor Roel Degamo and numerous others.
He fled to Dili, Timor-Leste, and submitted an application for political asylum.
While playing golf in March, he was apprehended. He was released from the Becora Prison; however, he was subsequently apprehended and transferred to the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on June 27 that the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste had granted the Philippines’ request for Teves’ extradition.
The Timor-Leste government has rejected Teves’ appeal of the ruling. (TCSP)
