Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said that deportation may be another legal option for the Philippines to take custody of dismissed Negros Oriental lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr.
He made this remark following the decision by Timor Leste’s Court of Appeals to reverse its previous approval for Teves to be returned to the Philippines.
“We are filing an MR [Motion for Reconsideration] but there are other branches of government moving, especially that there were commitments made before. This matter is just a very simple matter of an undocumented Filipino, who is accused of a crime to be returned to the country,” Remulla told reporters.
He stressed that “for them to go into certain matters that are intrinsically local to us is a big stretch.”
It is not going to be pleasant for Timor Leste because they are applying to be in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the country is one of the founding fathers of the Asean, he said.
Teves’ passport has been cancelled, and all the Philippine government has to do is to deport him, according to Remulla.
The former lawmaker is facing multiple murder cases before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 in relation to the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo and several others.
Later, he applied for political asylum in Timor Leste but was later placed under house arrest.
In February, the Philippine National Police (PNP) recommended the inclusion of his brother, former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves in the said charges.