Timor-Leste Court Releases Decision on Arnie Teves Extradition Case
ARNIE TEVES – The Court in Timor-Leste granted the extradition of the former Negros Oriental Congressman to the Philippines anew.
The death of then-Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last March 2023 left countless of his constituents grieving and calling for justice. The former Governor is survived by his wife, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, and their children.
Last March 4, 2024, then-identified men entered the gate of the Degamo residence in Pamplona and launched their motives. The incident left Governor Roel and 9 other people dead and several others injured. Mayor Janice called on the national government’s help in seeking justice for the death of her husband and the other victims.
Then-Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves is accused as the alleged mastermind in the case. However, as for the wife of the Governor, she believes that not only Arnie Treves but as well as Pryde Henry Teves is “Mastermind” in Roel Degamo’s death. The Degamo and Teves families are rivals in the political field in the province.
Then-Negros Oriental Congressman Arnie Teves who was already in abroad when he was tagged as the alleged mastermind behind the plot that killed Gov. Roel Degamo denied the allegation against him. He refused to come home to the Philippines citing his security.
The national government has previously exerted efforts assuring Teves of his safety but the former Negros Oriental Congressman did not go home. Even his family called for his return so he can face the accusations against him.
The Philippines located Arnie Teves in Timor-Leste. The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an extradition case to bring Teves back to the Philippines and make him face the charges and accusations against him. In June, the Timor-Leste Court granted the extradition of the former Negros Oriental Representative.
However, the camp of Teves contested the ruling of the Timor-Leste Court. The extradition case went another trial which took more than a month. Recently, the foreign court has released its decision.
Based on a report on GMA News, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the Timor-Leste Court has favored the Philippine authorities once again in the extradition case of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla called it a win of the Filipino people.
“This is a resounding victory for the Filipino people, a testament of our present government’s unyielding commitment to attain real time Justice at all costs,” the DOJ Secretary said.
The Justice Secretary also stressed that the court of Timor Leste has been consistent on “fair play and justice” over the case. Based on the report, the DOJ also added on its statement its commendation on the efficiency of the justice system of Timor-Leste.
The lawyer of Arnie Teves, Attorney Ferdinand Topacio, refused to comment on the decision of the Timor-Leste Court. According to him, he has yet to read the Court’s decision. During his detention, Teves was previously under a house arrest with a 24-hour security.