DOJ Confident on Return of Former Cong. Arnie Teves To PH
ARNIE TEVES – The Timor Leste Court’s decision on the extradition case filed by the Department of Justice favored the DOJ.
For more than a year now, the family of the late former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and the Philippine government are in the pursuit of seeking justice for his death. The former Governor died in an attack at their residence in Pamplona on March 4, 2023.
On March 4, 2023, several men stepped in the area of the residence of the then-Governor and made the attack. Several individuals who were at the Governor’s house for different purposes, some in the purpose of asking for assistance, were left injured by the incident. Nine (9) other individuals died from the incident.
Degamo is survived by his wife, incumbent Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, and their two sons. His family vowed for justice for his death as well as the passing of nine (9) other people.
Following an in-depth investigation, former Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnie Teves was tagged as suspect in the case. However, the then-Congressman of Negros Oriental was already in abroad amid the height of the investigation.
Teves refused to go home to the Philippines. According to the former Negros Oriental Representative, he is worried about his safety. The national government previously called for his return and assured him of his security in the country. His family also called for him to go home and face the charges filed against him.
The Department of Justice initiated an extradition case against Teves in the pursuit of bringing him home to the Philippines to face the cases filed over the death of Degamo and nine other individuals. Teves was previously released from a Timor Leste jail and was arrested again.
Several former and current Philippine government officials were witnesses in the extradition case filed against the former Negros Oriental Congressman. There were also testimonies made in support of the accused.
The court in Timor Leste has released its decision over the extradition case filed by the DOJ against former Negros Oriental 3rd District Congressman Arnie Teves. The Court ruled in favor of the justice department of the Philippines.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, DOJ was confident to bring Teves back home to the Philippines. There are several charges filed against him. The justice department expected his return to the country in July. However, the month passed and there are still no updates if whether or not the former Congressman has returned to the country.
Based on the report, Teves was out from house arrest late last month. The former Negros Oriental Congressman was placed under a house arrest for being a “flight risk”.