Timor-Leste court rejects Teves' appeal on extradition

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals of Timor-Leste has upheld its decision granting the Philippine government's request for the extradition of former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr., the Department of Justice (DoJ) said Wednesday.

The court rejected Teves' motion for reconsideration.

The DoJ announcement was based on an official update from the Prosecutor General of Timor-Leste regarding the appeal filed by the camp of Teves.

«We wish to inform the public that this motion has been denied,» the DoJ said. «We recognize the importance of this decision and are committed to maintaining transparency throughout this process,» it added.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla described the denial of Teves' motion as «a significant step forward» in the quest for justice.

«This decision underscores that justice proceeds irrespective of an individual's status,» Remulla said.

Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in connection with the March 4, 2023 shootings in the town of Pamplona in Negros Oriental.

He is also facing multiple murder charges in Negros Oriental in connection with a series of killings in the province in 2019.

Teves was designated as a terrorist in August 2023 by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

He fled to Dili in Timor-Leste last year to seek political asylum. However, he was apprehended last March while he was playing golf.