Teves gets 15 more days in Timor-Leste

MANILA, Philippines — The detention of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. in East Timor has been extended by a local court for 15 days following a trial on March 23, Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said.

“Contrary to the claim of (Assistant Justice Secretary Mico) Clavano, neither deportation nor extradition is on the table at this point in the proceedings,” Topacio said in a statement released Saturday night.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier said Teves would be returned to the Philippines either through extradition or deportation, whichever option is the most “feasible, quick and effective.”

According to Topacio, representatives of the National Bureau of Investigation – including NBI Director Medardo Lemos – left Timor-Leste after learning that “they are unable to bring Teves back until after the trial.”

Topacio said the legal team of Teves in East Timor will explore “other legal moves” including “bringing the Teves persecution to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.”

“Trial will resume on Monday. The Timor-Leste lawyers by then will submit arguments in support of other options for Rep. Teves, including political asylum,” he added.

Topacio hit the Marcos administration for trying “to harass and humiliate” Teves by having the expelled congressman’s picture taken while in detention.

These efforts were thwarted, Topacio said, after two Philippine government representatives were caught trying to smuggle a phone during their visit to Teves.

He added that only Teves’ lawyers, his close Filipino friends pre-screened by authorities of East Timor, and others upon his consent are allowed to visit.

According to the NBI, a team from the agency is set to fly to East Timor on March 27 for the turnover of Teves to Philippine authorities.

DOJ has yet to issue a statement.

Teves was arrested on March 21 in East Timor while playing golf at the Top Golf Driving Range and Bar in Dili.

He is facing murder charges over the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023, where nine others also died in the attack during an aid distribution in Pamplona town.

He is also facing several other charges in connection with a series of killings in 2019.

Teves is considered a fugitive and an undocumented alien in East Timor following the cancellation of his Philippine passport by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

He has also been designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council due to the alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

After being linked to the Degamo assassination, Teves went into hiding, prompting the House of Representatives to vote for his expulsion in August last year.

He previously sought political asylum in East Timor but was denied in May 2023.

The Interpol also issued an international Red Notice for Teves’ provisional detention pending turnover to the state seeking his arrest.