The Department of Justice (DoJ) is set to appeal Timor-Leste’s junking of the country’s request for the extradition of expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr., Malacañang said yesterday.

In a press briefing, Presidential Press Officer Claire Castro said DoJ Assistant Secretary Miko Clavano informed the Palace they will be filing an appeal with the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal.

Teves is the suspected mastermind of the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in March 2023. Degamo was killed in his residential compound in Pamplona, Negros Oriental along with nine others.

The DoJ charged Teves with murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder in 2023 before a Manila court.

Castro said the decision of the Timor-Leste court came as a surprise after it had granted the Philippines’ request for Teves’ extradition twice in 2024.