Timor-Leste grants extradtion request against Teves anew

National

PHILIPPINE authorities praised the government of Timor-Leste for granting anew the Philippines’s request to extradite former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. back to the country.

The Department of Justice, in a statement, said the Timor-Leste government “has been consistent with the tenets of fair play and justice considering the positive development in this case."

"This is a resounding victory for the Filipino people, a testament of our present government's unyielding commitment to attain real-time Justice at all costs," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement.

Teves is facing multiple cases, including 10 counts of murder, 14 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Court for killing former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others on March 4, 2023.

The brazen attack has since been dubbed as “Pamplona massacre."

The Philippines has requested for Teves to be brought back to the country so that he can face the multiple cases filed against him.

Last June, Timor-Leste also granted the Philippine’s extradition request for Teves. However, Teves’ camp opposed the ruling on procedural grounds, which prompted the Timor-Leste court ordered two camps to present their evidence again.

In the second hearing, Timor-Leste favored with the Philippine government again.

“We expected no less other than a second grant of extradition by Timor-Leste, which only affirms the stance of the PH government that there is merit in the request and that they made the right decision the first time around,” Remulla added.(LAO)