DOJ: Timor-Leste to decide on Teves’ extradition in ‘next few weeks’

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) expects the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals to decide on the extradition of former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. within the coming weeks.

DOJ spokesperson Asec. Mico Clavano on Thursday said that the country’s extradition request for Teves has already passed through Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Justice.

READ: Teves arrested while golfing in Timor-Leste

“Yung proseso kasi diyan, dadaan po muna sa initial screening ng Ministry of Justice ang extradition request natin, at sa ngayon, pasado na po at finorward at inendorse na ang ating extradition request sa Court of Appeals, so kailangan muna natin maghintay,” said Calavano at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.

(The process starts with the extradition request passing through the Ministry of Justice. Now, the request has already been passed, forwarded, and endorsed to the Court of Appeals, so now we need to wait.)

Clavano then appealed for more patience as the government has no control over when Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals will decide on the government’s request.

“If they see that our request is legitimate, and all the supporting documents are attached, they will grant it. We are confident because all requirements are attached. All clarifications of the government of Timor-Leste are addressed by the legal division of the DOJ,” he told reporters.

Two months have passed since Teves was arrested in Dili, Timor-Leste.

His arrest came three weeks after the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) placed him on its red notice system and the Manila Trial Court canceled his passport.

READ: Teves on Interpol red notice, target of global manhunt — DOJ

“Within the next few weeks, we hope to already receive a decision from the Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste,” said Clavano.

Clavano said the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals has periods that must be complied with.

“Although I know that the deadline for a decision by the Court of Appeals is June 20. But it can be earlier than that. Not later, but it can be earlier than June 20,” he said.

Teves has been charged with the 2023 murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in what is now known as the Pamplona Massacre.

Teves long denied the charges before going into hiding but was eventually arrested in Timor-Leste while golfing in March 2024.