Deportation process starts as DFA cancels passport
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed to bring back to the country former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr., a designated terrorist and the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.
“I assure the Filipino people that we will spare no effort in ensuring that justice will prevail in this case. Rest assured that the government will take all necessary actions to bring him back to the country so he can face the charges filed against him,” the President said.
Teves, whose passport has been cancelled by the Department of Justice, was arrested while playing golf in Dili, Timor Leste Thursday.
”I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in this operation for their unwavering dedication to upholding peace and order,” the President added.
The Department of Justice said Teves may be deported to the Philippines “in just a matter of days.”
While the Philippines and Timor Leste do not have an extradition treaty, which is an agreement between governments that will allow the parties to request the repatriation of an individual who is accused of a crime.
The DOJ earlier said it will be “a matter of diplomacy” to have Teves deported even without an extradition treaty with East Timor.
DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV said National Bureau of Investigation Director Medardo De Lemos is in Timor Leste to escort Teves back to the Philippines.
The Philippine team earlier coordinated with Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta for the arrest of Teves.
“It’s fast but the timing on that will be based on the Timor Leste government. Teves will be in the Philippines in a matter of days,” Clavano said.
“Deportation is a fast process since Teves is already an undesirable alien due to the cancellation of passport and is now undocumented which means he is already in violation of Timor Leste immigration laws,” he added.
Degamo’s widow described Teves’ arrest as “an answered prayer.”
“We prayed for so long and waited for this day to come. Praise God that he has been arrested. We are really happy about this development,” Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo said in a television interview.
“I think it would be enough for us to be able to see him in jail and once and for all prove that jail is for everyone. It is not only for the poor, the deprived, the people who are not connected,” she added.
Clavano said Teves may still be extradited even with the absence of a treaty.
“The Philippines and Timor Leste have no extradition treaty. However, there may be a way to still request for extradition due to UNTOC (United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime),” hesaid. “An extradition request can still be sought but it will take a bit of documentation.”
He said the Timor Leste government has twice denied the asylum request of Teves as he assured there is no security risk to the return of the former lawmaker.
Teves is facing charges of 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 51 over the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental where 10 persons were killed, including Gov. Degamo.