DOJ ‘doubly confident’ Timor Leste court will reaffirm Teves extradition

Former Rep. Arnoldo Teves with lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. His lawyer said the Teves camp is appealing the extradition of the former lawmaker from Timor Leste. (Photo from Atty. Ferdinand Topacio)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is “doubly confident” that the Timor Leste court will reaffirm its decision to grant the Philippines’ request to extradite former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr, Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV said on Thursday.

The court already granted the extradition request last June, but Teves’ camp countered it through a petition filed on July 26.

READ: Timor Leste court approves PH extradition request vs Teves

“They were questioning the process, the testimony of the witnesses. Pero nag-rule na ang CA (Court of Appeals), denying that petition,” Clavano IV said in an ambush interview.

(The CA already denied that petition.)

“There’s little that they can argue in addition to what they have already argued before. That’s why we are doubly confident that we will have a confirmation again of the decision that was first rendered,” he added.

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.

READ: Teves lawyer: Timor Leste grant of PH extradition request not yet final

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