Timor Leste court approves PH extradition request vs Teves

Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday announced that former Negros Oriental Congressman Arnolfo Teves will soon return to the Philippines after the Timor Leste court granted the Philippines’ extradition request.

“The Department of Justice confirms the grant of the extradition request made by the Philippine government. The information was relayed to us by the Attorney-General of Timor Leste. We have won,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV told reporters.

READ: Timorese court frees Teves from house arrest, says lawyer Topacio

He added, “We look forward to Mr. Teves’ arrival so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts.”

Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder for the March 4, 2023 attack that killed Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.

Teves was also designated terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council and his assets in the Philippines had been ordered frozen.

He is also facing murder charges for the deaths of three persons in Negros Oriental in 2019.