DOJ spox: Pacquiao camp says meeting with Teves in Timor Leste only 'chance encounter'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 29) --- Department of Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano on Friday said that former Senator Manny Pacquiao only met former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves, Jr. by chance in Timor Leste.

«Alam natin na nandoon talaga siya sa Timor Leste....Nakakuha din kami ng statement galing sa kampo ni former Senator Manny Pacquiao na ito ay isang chance encounter lamang po at hindi naman sinadya na magkita sila doon sa mismong airport,» said Clavano.

[Translation: We are aware that he is in Timor Leste....We also got a statement from the camp of former Senator Manny Pacquiao that this was a chance encounter and it was just a coincidence that they met in the airport.]

The DOJ made the statement after a video made rounds in social media on Thursday, where Teves was seen hugging Pacquiao upon arrival at the airport.

Clavano said the DOJ will still continue to go after Teves who is wanted for the murder of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.

“We’ll have to go through diplomatic channels dahil wala naman tayong extradition treaty with Timor-Leste [...] Our operation is based on the communication between two governments. Dahil nagpakita na talaga siya, we will intensify and speed up the process,” Clavano said.

[Translation: We'll have to go through diplomatic channels because we don't have an extradition treaty with Timor-Leste [...] Our operation is based on the communication between two governments. Because he already showed up and we will intensify and speed up the process.]

It was not clear when Teves and Pacquiao met, but Timor Leste's state-run news agency Tatoli reported last week that Pacquiao was scheduled to visit the country on Sept. 28.

It said the Timor-Leste Boxing Federation, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission, would be responsible for organizing activities during the retired boxing champion's three-day visit.

With reports from CNN Philippines Senior Correspondent Anjo Alimario