The Department of Justice (DOJ) reaffirmed that the Philippine government is prepared to speedily facilitate former Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.’s return from Timor-Leste and prosecute him, following his arrest.
“We reiterate that the Philippines has been prepared to bring Mr. Teves home to face the charges against him since the time our request for his extradition was first granted,” the agency said in a press release on Wednesday, May 28.
Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Teves’ lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed that Teves has been brought under the custody of the Ministry of the Interior in Timor-Leste.
The DOJ is currently awaiting Timor-Leste’s next move: whether it will deport or extradite Teves, as agreed upon previously.
“While we welcome the recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste indicating a renewed position that Mr. Teves should not remain in their territory, we await their action—whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,” the DOJ said, adding that they have not been provided any official document with regard to the matter.
BASAHIN: Ayon sa Department of Justice, handa ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas na ayusin ang paglilipat ng kustodiya ni Arnolfo Teves Jr. mula Timor-Leste patungo sa Pilipinas kapag nakumpirma na nila ang umano'y pag-aresto kay Teves | RH 29 @boy_gonzales, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/VtUA6VufbK
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 28, 2025
Teves faces murder charges in connection to the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo and five others.
