By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) emphasized on Saturday (June 29, 2024) that expelled Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves, whose application for political asylum in Timor Leste has been rejected twice, is expected to be brought back to the Philippines in July to face murder charges related to the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in 2023.
Teves, along with 12 others, has also been labeled as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC), citing alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.
DOJ spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV stated during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, “If by Monday they file…Hopefully, by the end of next week, a decision will be made. They are given 30 days to file.”
“We will likely see Mr. Teves back in the Philippines by the last week of July,” Clavano added.
However, Teves’ lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, plans to appeal the Philippine government’s extradition request, arguing that Teves cannot be extradited while his political asylum application is pending.
Clavano rebutted Topacio’s claims, asserting that Teves was not politically persecuted in the Philippines. He also dismissed concerns about the death penalty, stating, “We do not have a death penalty here in the Philippines. We have made significant efforts in human rights reforms and protections.”
(el Amigo/mnm)
