26 Marso 2024, Martes
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deepest sympathy to family of the late Danilo Halili
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Teves must face cases in Philippines
By Nidz Godino
“Brutal crimes happened here in the Philippines… families of victims are here in the Philippines…we want justice to be served here in the Philippines,” Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesman Mico Clavano said DOJ will not recognize or acknowledge any effort to bring the case of expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. before United Nations rights body.
Teves’ counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, earlier would explore former lawmaker’s legal options as he faces possible deportation from Timor-Leste, where he was arrested while playing golf after almost a year of staying in Southeast Asian country, had turned down his application for asylum.
Among options Topacio raised was “bringing prosecution of Rep. Teves to UN Commission on Human Rights,” saying one of Teves’ lawyers in Timor-Leste is recognized expert in international human rights.
In response, DOJ would not acknowledge any camp “refuses to go through our own justice system.”
Teves, tagged as mastermind of assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and his bodyguards as well as several civilians in March 2023, was arrested last March 21 in Dili.
He was arrested based on International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) red notice issued against him in February. Red notice is request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and arrest person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action.
According to Topacio, Timor-Leste court has extended former lawmaker’s detention by 15 days while government is verifying request of Philippines and Interpol for his custody.
As result, team from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that went to Dili to take custody of Teves returned on Sunday empty handed.
In separate television interview on March 25, Topacio said it’s courts in Timor-Leste that would decide if Teves would be allowed to stay and under what conditions or sent back to the Philippines.
“Congressman Teves is not being detained in Timor-Leste for any crime committed in Timor-Leste,” he said in an interview over media.
Topacio is ready should Teves be repatriated back to Philippines to face charges against him.
“If there is scenario where he can be brought back to the country, then we will undergo trial because we’re confident that case of the government is weak,” he said.
Aside from bringing case to UN, camp of Teves are also looking at applying again for political asylum for Teves.
Teves is considered fugitive and undocumented alien in Timor-Leste following cancellation of his Philippine passport by Department of Foreign Affairs.
Aside from Degamo assassination, Teves is also linked to deaths of several political foes in 2019.
Clavano earlier said Teves would be sent back to Philippines either through deportation, extradition or whatever authorities would deem “most feasible, quick and effective.”
According to Topacio, “neither deportation nor extradition is on the table at this point in proceedings.”
Teves has been designated terrorist along with 11 others by Anti-Terrorism Council due to alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
After being linked to Degamo assassination, Teves went into hiding, prompting House of Representatives to vote for his expulsion in August last year.
At press briefing, NBI Director Medardo de Lemos said Teves had expressed fear for his life.
“I told congressman Teves that it’s our commitment to President Josè Ramos-Horta, to the agency and to you that nothing bad will happen to you once we bring you back to the Philippines,” De Lemos said.
De Lemos stressed it’s NBI’s mission to cooperate with local authorities and adhere strictly to legal processes.
Despite facing challenges, including difficulties in obtaining photograph of Teves, De Lemos highlighted their determination to verify Teves’ identity and provide necessary documentation to support their position.
“We’ve provided all documents supporting NBI’s position on why congressman Teves was included in the red notice list,” he said.
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