The Department of Justice yesterday said it is set to ask Timor-Leste to turn over to the Philippines expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo A. Teves Jr.
Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he conveyed that intention during his meeting with Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta last Saturday, 11 November.
"I just told him we will be filing the necessary information and necessary letters to his office to inform them formally of the charges pending against Mr. Teves and the duties of rendition are there and that, under the United Nations agreement on terrorism, member states have to surrender unto the prosecuting country the body of any terrorist so that they may be held for trial," he said.
Remulla said on the part of Horta, he recounted that the Timor-Leste president replied: "I will await that."
"We look at it favorably," said Remulla who also revealed that he was invited by Horta to visit Timor-Leste.
Remulla, during the hour-long meeting with Horta, said he raised the possibility of signing three treaties between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.
The DoJ chief said, "I brought up to his attention three treaties which will possibly be signed: The mutual legal assistance treaty which is a standard treaty that we sign with friendly states; the extradition treaty which is a basic agreement among states so that people can be held for trial under the judicial systems; and the other one of course is the transfer of sentenced persons."
The Anti-Terrorism Council last 1 August announced that it has designated Teves and alleged members of the Teves' group as "terrorists."
The solon is also facing multiple charges over the 4 March shooting in Pamplona, Negros Oriental that led to deaths of 10 persons including Gov. Roel Degamo and the injuries sustained by 18 other individuals.
He is also facing murder charges over 2019 killings of three persons — former Negros Oriental board member and former National Bureau of Investigation agent Michael Dungog; Lester Bato, a bodyguard of Basay mayoralty candidate Cliff Cordova; and Pacito Libron, an alleged hitman associated with Teves.
The courts handling the murder cases have already issued arrest warrants against the lawmaker.