Arnie Teves extradition denied by Timor-Leste court, says DOJ

The Timor-Leste Court of Appeal has denied the extradition request of the Philippines for former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday

The DOJ said it is surprised and deeply disappointed, noting that the Court previously granted the request.

“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 Appeal has now reversed its stance, taking a complete 180-degree turn to reject the Philippines' extradition request,” the DOJ said.

The court 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.

In December 2024, the Court granted the extradition request for the second time, prompting Teves’ camp to again appeal the ruling.

“This sudden shift raises serious concerns, and we are currently seeking further clarification regarding the basis of this decision,” it said.

The DOJ said it has yet to receive an official copy of the ruling.

Meanwhile, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ legal counsel in the Philippines, welcomed the decision, saying it is a “triumph of the rule of law.”

"The decision… denying the request for extradition of Rep. Arnolfo Teves to the Philippines to face trumped up charges fabricated by the oppressive and dictatorial Marcos government, is a triumph of the rule of law, and an indictment of the kind of government we currently have,” he said in a statement.

“A government who ignores the Constitution and the laws of the Republic in the brazen desire to silence political dissent and destroy the legitimate political opposition,” he added.

For its part, the DOJ reiterated its request for cooperation, saying that Teves’ case is a “matter of justice” and not “merely a legal issue.”

“Mr. Teves is facing serious charges, including multiple counts of murder, and must be brought home to face the full force of the law,” the DOJ said.

“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,” it added.

The department also said that it will explore and exhaust all legal remedies.

“The DOJ will provide further updates as soon as we receive the official decision and assess our next legal steps,” it said.

Teves is facing murder charges for the alleged killing 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. – NB/RSJ, GMA Integrated News