Timor-Leste court rejects PH bid to extradite Teves
Arnolfo Teves Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A Timorese court has rejected the Philippine government’s bid to extradite expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr.—a ruling that the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday described as “peculiar and legally improbable.”
In a March 20 decision written in Portuguese by Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals, an English translation of which was provided by Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, the plenary of judges “unanimously decided” to grant Teves’ appeal and “refuse the request for [his] extradition.”
The court cited Article 35(3) of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, which prohibits extradition if there is a “well-founded risk of being subjected to torture, inhuman, degrading or cruel treatment.”
The DOJ, in a statement, said it had been informed of the ruling but has yet to receive an official copy.
Nonetheless, the agency said it was “surprised and deeply disappointed by this development.”
“It is peculiar that after having twice decided in favor of extradition — first in June 2024 and again in December 2024 — the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals has now reversed its stance, taking a complete 180-degree turn to reject the Philippines’ extradition request,” the DOJ said.
“This sudden shift raises serious concerns, and we are currently seeking further clarification regarding the basis of this decision,” it added.
READ: Teves will again appeal court decision granting his extradition to PH
The DOJ reiterated its request for cooperation, stressing that Teves is facing serious charges, including multiple counts of murder, and must be brought home to face the full force of the law.
“Allowing him to evade justice would be the height of injustice, not only to the victims and their families but to the integrity of the rule of law,” the agency said.
“We call on all concerned authorities to respect our legal processes and uphold international cooperation in the pursuit of justice,” it added, noting that it would “explore and exhaust all legal remedies available to us to ensure that justice is served and that Mr. Teves is held to face for crimes he is accused of.”
Teves is accused of masterminding the killing of his political rival, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, in March 2023.
READ: After 2 months, NBI files murder raps vs Teves for Degamo slay
He is facing multiple charges, including murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder, but evaded arrest as he was in the United States on medical leave at the time.
He was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 after repeatedly ignoring orders to return and face the case against him.
On March 21, 2024, he was arrested in Dili, Timor-Leste’s capital, while playing golf.
