Timor-Leste has granted the Philippines' request for the extradition of former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., the Department of Justice (DOJ) has said.

The development was relayed to the DOJ by the attorney general of Timor-Leste.

"We have won," the DOJ said in a statement.

"We look forward to the arrival of Mr. Teves so that he may finally face the charges against him in our local courts," it added.

Teves and several others are facing murder charges in connection with the killing in 2023 of then Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

The expelled lawmaker has been under the custody of Timor-Leste police since March 2024 following his arrest based on the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February 2024.

In a post, Pamplona Mayor Janice Vallega Degamo, the widow of then Governor Degamo, said that it is "difficult to describe with words the overwhelming emotions" she experienced upon learning of the news. 

"It is difficult to describe with words the overwhelming emotions I experienced tonight after learning that my husband's killer will be returned to the Philippines to face justice. My fight for justice has been a truly harrowing experience, with constant threats on my life by members of the Teves Terrorist Group, horrific online attacks from TTG trolls and continual sleepless nights grieving the memory of Roel," the mayor said in her post on her official social media account.

"But it was the memory of Roel and his undying love for his fellow NegOrenses that keeps pushing me to fight. I will not be silent as the men who murdered my husband continue to terrorize our province. Justice For Negros Oriental," Mayor Degamo added. 

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the legal counsel of Arnie Teves, in a statement said that the former congressman could still appeal, "a recourse that have every intention of taking."

"Then we still have the option of political asylum," Topacio said.

Topacio said Teves would still have to be proven guilty even if he was extradited.

"You still have to defend your planted evidence, in light of the recent rulings of the courts revealing their bogus nature and the admission to bail of Mr. Teves' co-accused on the ground of weak evidence," Topacio said.  

"So, I wouldn't gloat if I were you," he added.

(via GMA Integrated News)