MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines expressed “disappointment” that Timor-Leste has not shown enough trust in the delivery of justice, particularly on its refusal to extradite former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Teves is facing murder charges for allegedly masterminding the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others in Pamplona town in 2023.
The former congressman’s legal counsel, lawyer Fernando Topacio, confirmed last Thursday that the government of Timor-Leste has approved Teves’ appeal to block an extradition request lodged by the Philippine government.
“We are disappointed that Timor-Leste has not shown enough trust in the delivery of justice in the Philippines, a founding member of the ASEAN [Association of South East Asian Nations] which it seeks to join, and among the very first ASEAN member states to convey support for its aspiration to join the association,” the DFA mentioned in a statement.
“While its application is dependent on its compliance with the Roadmap for full membership in ASEAN and its accession to the ASEAN Charter, it should also be able to demonstrate that it shares the spirit of trust and cooperation that ASEAN member states accord one another, not only within the framework of ASEAN, but also in their bilateral relations,” the DFA emphasized.
In a separate interview with the media, Philippine Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla noted that Timor-Leste’s refusal to extradite Teves could possibly hinder its application for membership in the ASEAN, to which the Philippines was a founding member.
Remulla said that “it’s not going to be pleasant for Timor-Leste because they’re applying to be in the ASEAN. We [Philippines] are one of the founding fathers of the ASEAN.”
The Timor-Leste Court of Appeal’s decision to block Teves’ extradition was based on grounds that he could face torture or inhumane treatment if returned to the country, Topacio explained.
Remulla shot back by saying that Teves’ case is a “simple matter of an undocumented Filipino who’s accused of a crime to be returned to the country.”
His [Teves] passport has been cancelled. All they have to do is deport him, Remulla added.
Teves has been out of the country since 2023 and has been designated as a “terrorist” by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) of the Philippines, in collaboration with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
