Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta wants a swift deportation of former Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo 'Arnie' Teves Jr., who was arrested in Dili, East Timor, according to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
In a press release on Saturday, March 23, NBI said Ramos-Horta conveyed his desire to expedite the lawmaker's deportation in a meeting with the Philippine delegation in Timor Leste.
"President Horta communicated his earnest desire for the immediate resolution of the case and emphasized the importance of expeditiously removing Teves Timor-Leste," it said.
The Philippine delegation is led by NBI Director Medardo De Lemos, with NBI Chief Inerpol Filipinas Astrero and four NBI agents.
Also present during the meeting were Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Belinda Ante and Timorse law enforcement officials.
As per NBI, it would "continue to work closely with the authorities in Timor-Leste to monitor the extradition process of Teves, who is a fugitive and also considered as an undocumented alien in Timor-Leste."
Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano told DZRH in an interview that the national government prioritizes Teves' safe return to the country.
Clavano said they are looking at New Bilibid Prison, Camp Crame, or the National Bureau of Investigation detention as options for the former lawmaker's detention facility.
