MANLA, Philippines – Inaresto ng mga immigration police sa Timor-Leste si dating Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., na humingi ng asylum sa nasabing bansa.
“At around 8 p.m. yesterday (Dili time), our client, Rep. Armolfo Teves, was taken from his residence in Dili together with his Timor Leste counsel, Dr. Joao Serra, by immigration police. The lawyer was manhandled by the said police,” ani Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, na abogado ni Teves.
Ayon pa kay Topacio, walang ipinakitang warrant at sapilitang dinala si Teves at ang kanyang lokal na abogado sa kustodiya.
Si Teves ay pangunahing akusado sa pagpaslang kay Gov. Roel Degamo at siyam na iba pa noong 2023.
Hinihintay ng DOJ ng Pilipinas kung ide-deport o ie-extradite siya, matapos tanggihan ng Timor-Leste ang unang extradition request.
“While we welcome the recent pronouncements from Timor-Leste indicating a renewed position that Mr. Teves should not remain in their territory, we await their action—whether he would simply be deported for being an undocumented foreigner or extradited forthwith pursuant to our pending application,” anang DOJ.
“We emphasize that the Philippine government has not been furnished with any legal or official document on the matter,” dagdag pa.
Si Teves ay idineklarang terorista ng Anti-Terrorism Council at inalis sa Kongreso noong 2023. RNT
