DOJ to ask East Timor to turn over Arnolfo Teves Jr.

Expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla is expected to sign on Thursday a letter asking East Timor to turn over to the Philippines expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., who is facing murder charges in connection with the assassination of his political rival, Roel Degamo, the provincial governor when he was killed on March 4.

“When I get back on Thursday from Brunei, I will already sign the letter for the president of Timor-Leste,” Remulla told reporters, referring to the Portuguese name of the country.

Remulla met with East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta during his official visit to Manila from Nov. 8 to Nov. 10.

“I just told him we will be filing the necessary information and necessary letters to his office to inform them formally of the charges pending against Mr. Teves,” the justice chief said in a previous briefing.

He also recalled noting to the East Timorese leader that “the duties of rendition are there and under the United Nations agreement on terrorism, there is a duty for member states to surrender unto the prosecuting country the body of any terrorist so that they may be held for trial.”

Remulla said Ramos-Horta responded favorably, saying he would wait for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) submission of its documents.

“The passport should have already been canceled. We’ll find out as to the status. We can already cancel it. We’ll check,” Remulla also said.

Teves is reportedly hiding in East Timor, after having failed to seek political asylum. Remulla had earlier said that Teves had a chance encounter there with former Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

Teves is facing multiple charges in connection with Degamo’s murder. Nine other persons were killed by his attackers in his own home that morning of March 4.

The expelled lawmaker is also facing murder charges in connection with the killing of three other persons in 2019.

He was also classified as a terrorist in August by the Anti-Terrorism Council.