Nasa Timor Leste at humihirit umano ng special asylum ang suspendidong kongresista ng Negros Oriental na si Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, ayon kay Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“Mr. Teves entered Timor-Leste a week ago, a week ago, trying to seek special asylum status in Timor-Leste,” sabi ni Remulla sa ambush interview nitong Martes.

Tumangging magkomento sa naturang pahayag ni Remulla si Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, abogado ni Teves.

Nakasaad sa Immigration Service of Timor Leste, na ipinakakaloob ng Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste ang asylum sa: “foreigners and stateless persons persecuted or is guaranteed seriously threatened of persecution in result of activity performed in State of nationality or habitual residence.”

Tiniyak din ng naturang estado ang pagkakaloob ng asylum sa mga: “fearing justifiably be persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, are unable or, owing such fear, unwilling to return to the State of nationality or residence habitual.”

Pero ayon kay Remulla, wala silang nakikitang politikal na dahilan para kumuha ng asylum si Teves sa Timor-Leste.

“We don’t see any political reason for him to seek asylum in Timor-Leste. It’s really for not wanting to face the consequences of certain actions by which he’s being held to account for,” anang kalihim.

Ayon kay Remulla, ang Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ang nagtimbre sa kanila tungkol sa plano ni Teves.

Sumulat na umano ang DOJ sa DFA upang ipaalam sa embahador ng Timor-Leste ang sitwasyon na kinakaharap ni Teves sa Pilipinas.

“We have written a letter telling Timor-Leste that he’s a person of interest in murder cases and he’s being considered for designation as a terrorist by the country,” ani Remulla.

“And giving a fair warning about a person asking for asylum, may not necessarily be a good candidate for that,” dagdag niya.

Idinadawit si Teves sa pagpatay kay Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, at walong iba pa. Itinanggi naman ng kongresista ang paratang.

Nauna nang sinabi ni Remulla na pabalik-balik si Teves sa South Korea at Cambodia, na patuloy na tumatangging bumalik ng Pilipinas dahil umano sa banta sa kaniyang buhay.— FRJ, GMA Integrated News