Timor Leste court grants PH extradition request vs. Teves

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday confirmed that the Court of Appeals of Timor Leste granted the Philippines' extradition request against former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr.

"The Department of Justice confirms the grant of the extradition request made by the Philippine government. The information was relayed to us 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 is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in relation to the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona town, Negros Oriental.

Teves fled to Dili, Timor-Leste and submitted his application for political asylum.

Last March, Teves was arrested while playing golf in Dili.

Early this month, he was released from Becora Prison but was re-arrested and transferred to the Polícia Nacional of Timor-Leste.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has expressed hope that Teves would soon be extradited to the country to face multiple charges in a Philippine court.

In August last year, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and his brother, former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves, as terrorists over their alleged involvement in several murder incidents and harassment in the province in the past years when they were still in public office. (PNA)