Timor-Leste Approves Extradition of Arnolfo Teves
The Court of Appeals in Timor-Leste has approved the Philippines’ request of extradition former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is wanted on multiple murder charges, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
DOJ Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jose Dominic Clavano confirmed the development, saying, “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,” in a message to reporters. He added, “We have won.”
Teves is accused of involvement in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others at the governor’s residence on March 4, 2023.
“We look forward to the arrival of Mr. Teves so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts,” Clavano stated. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for Teves’s extradition to the Philippines.
Clavano noted that Timor-Leste authorities have been instructed to secure all borders—air, land, and sea—to prevent Teves from escaping Dili. “We are working closely with our international counterparts in Timor Leste to ensure that the Philippine government may attain justice for the alleged victims of Teves crying for justice despite the evasive attitude of the fugitive/terrorist designated and former lawmaker,” he said.
“The clear objective of the other side is to leave Timor Leste and reunite with his family in another country. This is why all borders have been notified that Teves is a flight risk. However, the Timor Leste government assures us that he will not leave,” Clavano added.
In addition to the Degamo case, Teves faces charges related to the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019. He was expelled from the House of Representatives in August last year due to disorderly conduct and prolonged absence despite an expired travel authority.
Teves to Appeal Extradition Order from Timor-Leste
Arnolfo “Arnie” A. Teves Jr., the fugitive and expelled congressman from Negros Oriental’s 3rd District, plans to appeal the extradition order issued by Timor-Leste. Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, stated, “The judgment is still appealable, a recourse that we have every intention of taking.” He also mentioned the possibility of seeking political asylum.
The DOJ confirmed Teves’s extradition on Thursday night, June 27. DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said, “The DOJ 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.”
Clavano added, “We look forward to the arrival of Mr. Teves so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts.”
In response to the DOJ’s declaration of victory, Topacio remarked, “You have not won. Not by a long shot.”
Multiple charges against Arnie Teves
Teves and several others are charged with 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder related to the March 4, 2023 incident in Pamplona town, which resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including Governor Roel Degamo, and injuries to 18 others.
The Supreme Court (SC) ordered the transfer of the cases filed in Negros Oriental to Manila. On Sept. 5, 2023, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Merianthe Pacita M. Zuraek of Branch 51 issued an arrest order against Teves and his co-accused. However, the arrest order could not be enforced as Teves had been abroad long before the cases were filed. Local authorities in Timor-Leste arrested Teves on March 21 at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar in Dili, based on an Interpol red notice. The Philippines subsequently sought his extradition.
Besides Teves, the 11 co-accused include Marvin Miranda, Rogelio Antipolo Jr., Rommel Pattaguan, Winrich Isturis, John Louie Gonyon, Dahniel Lora, Eulogio Gonyon Jr., Joric Labrador, Joven Javier, Benjie Rodriguez, and Jhudiel Rivero.
In addition to the murder-related charges, Teves has been designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, resulting in the freezing of his assets in the Philippines. Terrorism charges have also been filed against him and several others before the DOJ. Teves also faces murder charges for the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Should Teves be extradited, Topacio emphasized that the DOJ must still “prove him guilty in the face of recantations by all witnesses previously against him who were tortured and intimidated into testifying falsely against him.”
“You still have to defend your planted evidence, in light of the recent rulings of the courts revealing their bogus nature and the admission to bail of Mr. Teves’ co-accused on the ground of weak evidence,” he added.
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