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Teves extradition process proceeds
By Nidz Godino
“In other words, our government screwed up…thus, his imprisonment was declared illegal,” lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., tagged as mastermind of the March 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo, was released from detention in Timor-Leste but later rearrested.
Topacio, said Teves detained pending his trial for extradition was released because Philippine government’s request for his extradition “was made out of time and in manner that is not sanctioned by practice and customary international law.”
“But Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified Teves was rearrested and taken into custody by Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste at Becora Prison in Dili to continue to stand trial for extradition.
Topacio said judicial proceedings in relation to Teves’ stay in Timor-Leste begin today.
Teves will attend proceedings as well as witnesses, including former human rights commissioner Wilhelm Soriano, who will be presented as expert in human rights.
Soriano will testify on human rights violations in the Philippines “that should bar extradition, road to justice for Mr. Teves will be long and hard, bloody and painful, but we will never surrender,” Topacio revealed.
Last night, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano expressed hope extradition proceedings against Teves would be successful, adding that former congressman may also still be deported “depending on direction taken by Timor-Leste government in coordination with Philippines.”
Clavano chided Topacio’s “misleading and highly irresponsible” statements regarding Teves’ release, adding these were “insult to both countries.”
He added DOJ was able to submit all requirements ahead of time and in manner fully compliant with Timor-Leste’s laws, contrary to Topacio’s claims.
“Teves release and subsequent re-arrest should not be taken as hindrance to the process but simply part of it…we appreciate steps currently being undertaken by Timor-Leste government to remove him from their territory and we eagerly anticipate his return to the Philippines so he can face multiple murder charges,” Clavano said.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through Philippine embassy in Dili, is working on extradition of Teves to Manila, while Interpol national central bureau in Dili is exploring another legal route to his extradition.
Teves was arrested in March while playing golf by Timor-Leste police based on red notice or warrant issued by Interpol, hunting him after he fled Philippines following murder of Degamo and nine others.
Aside from murder of Degamo, Teves and others are also facing charges for deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Teves, who went into hiding in March 2023 shortly after being allowed to go to US for vacation sanctioned by Speaker Martin Romualdez, was designated “terrorist” by Anti-Terrorism Council in August 2023 following his expulsion from House of Representatives for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite expired travel authority.
In early February, Manila Court ordered cancellation of his passpor expelled lawmaker applied for asylum in Timor-Leste in 2023. However, in May last year, DFA said application was denied. Teves then sought for reconsideration, according to DOJ.
Earlier, Topacio expressed optimism that Teves’ application for political asylum in Timor-Leste would be granted and alleged killer of Degamo would no longer be extradited or deported back to the Philippines.
“He is not being prosecuted here in normal process…he is being persecuted with end view of pinning him down, notwithstanding constitutional guarantees of presumption of innocence,” Topacio said.
He insisted Teves was victim of “political persecution” by Philippine government.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier called on Teves to return to the country immediately and “face court squarely.”
ISKUP! 