📷: inquirer.net
THE bid to bring home former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. will have to wait longer even after Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice has approved the extradition request of the Philippine government.
According to Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano in his capacity as spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DOJ), there’s nothing much they could do but to wait for Timor Leste’s Court of Appeals (CA) to render its decision as to whether or not the Philippine government’s request to extradite Teves would be allowed.
The extradition request was made following the designation of the former congressman as “terrorist” amid a long list of criminal charges filed against him – including the murder of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in March 2023.
“If they see that our request is legitimate and all the supporting documents are attached, they will grant it. We are confident because all requirements are attached. All clarifications of the government of Timor-Leste are addressed by the legal division of the DOJ,” Clavano said.
“So, we are just waiting for the formal and official announcement that the case has already been decided on,” he added.
Teves has yet to surface since he left the country in February 2023 for medical purposes.
Instead of returning to the country, the former lawmaker opted to seek political asylum in Timor-Leste. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
