MANILA — The Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste has reaffirmed its decision to extradite former Philippine Congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., according to the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Wednesday (28 Aug 2024).
The court rejected Teves’ motion for reconsideration, confirming that the initial ruling remains in effect. The DoJ shared this update following an official communication from Timor-Leste’s Prosecutor General.
“We wish to inform the public that this motion has been denied,” the DoJ stated, emphasizing its commitment to transparency throughout the process. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla hailed the decision as “a significant step forward” in the pursuit of justice.
“This ruling illustrates that justice proceeds regardless of an individual’s status,” Remulla noted.
Teves faces serious charges including 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder in the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51, related to the March 4, 2023, shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
He also faces multiple murder charges for a series of killings in Negros Oriental in 2019.
Designated a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council in August 2023, Teves had sought political asylum in Timor-Leste but was apprehended in Dili last March while playing golf.
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