The Timor-Leste Court of Appeal has denied the extradition request of the Philippines for former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr., who is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday, March 20, 2025.

GMA News Online has reported that 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.

According to the report, 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,” DOJ said. 

Teves is facing murder charges for the alleged involvement in the slay of of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others in March 2023 in  Pamplona town. 

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

Teves has denied the allegations against him.

"The decision of the plenary of the Tribunal de Recursos of Timor Leste (TL), denying the request for extradition of Rep. Arnolfo Teves to the Philippines to face trumped up charges fabricated by... the Marcos government, is a triumph of the rule of law," said Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves' lawyer, in a statement.