Arnie Teves still in Timor-Leste, says DOJ's Remulla

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Monday that former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines, is still in Timor-Leste amid his pending case.

“He’s in Timor-Leste. He’s there,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

In December 2024, the Department of Justice said that the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal granted for the second time the country’s extradition request for Teves.

Remulla said he was told that they will get an update soon on the case.

“The appeal process in Timor-Leste seems to be endless but I was assured that we will get the news very soon about this matter,” he said.

Timor-Leste previously granted the country's first extradition request for Teves in June 2024.

However, Teves' camp contested the ruling on procedural grounds, specifically on the number of judges involved in the decision. This prompted the Timor-Leste court to order the parties to again present evidence in the case.

Teves is facing multiple murder charges for the alleged murder of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and others in March 2023.

He and others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing alleged killings in Negros Oriental.

The former lawmaker has denied the allegations against him.—AOL, GMA Integrated News