PH not giving up on Teves extradition
(UPDATE) MALACAÑANG on Friday said the government will appeal the decision of a Timor-Leste court denying the extradition of former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing the government was "surprised" at the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals' "adverse ruling" overturning its December 2024 decision approving Teves' extradition. Castro said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will file the appeal. The Philippine government has submitted all necessary evidence and legal documents to support the extradition request, including proof that the Philippines has no active death penalty in place, she said. The appellate court ruled that there was a well-founded risk that Teves would be subjected to torture, inhuman, degrading or cruel treatment, once he is brought back to the Philippines. Castro said such practices were prohibited under Philippine law. "Even in our Constitution, that is prohibited. That's why when they presented their evidence, our administration, through the DOJ, made it clear that none of this will happen under our administration," she said. Castro said the court's about-face was puzzling. Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had issued new directives regarding Teves, Castro said Marcos is leaving it to the DOJ on how to proceed with the case. She admitted that the court's decision was a setback for the ongoing investigation against Teves but assured that the administration remained committed to seeking justice for his alleged victims. "This will have a huge impact, considering there are complaints against former congressman Teves," Castro said. In a statement Thursday, the DOJ said it was "seeking clarification on this unexpected shift" by the appeals court. Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 over the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, that led to the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several of his supporters. He was labeled as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council in 2023 and is facing multiple criminal charges before the courts. Teves flew to Timor-Leste in 2023 to seek political asylum.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) MALACAÑANG on Friday said the government will appeal the decision of a Timor-Leste court denying the extradition of former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing the government was "surprised" at the Timor-Leste Court of Appeals' "adverse ruling" overturning its December 2024 decision approving Teves' extradition.
Castro said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will file the appeal.
The Philippine government has submitted all necessary evidence and legal documents to support the extradition request, including proof that the Philippines has no active death penalty in place, she said.
The appellate court ruled that there was a well-founded risk that Teves would be subjected to torture, inhuman, degrading or cruel treatment, once he is brought back to the Philippines.
Castro said such practices were prohibited under Philippine law.
"Even in our Constitution, that is prohibited. That's why when they presented their evidence, our administration, through the DOJ, made it clear that none of this will happen under our administration," she said.
Castro said the court's about-face was puzzling.
Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had issued new directives regarding Teves, Castro said Marcos is leaving it to the DOJ on how to proceed with the case.
She admitted that the court's decision was a setback for the ongoing investigation against Teves but assured that the administration remained committed to seeking justice for his alleged victims.
"This will have a huge impact, considering there are complaints against former congressman Teves," Castro said.
In a statement Thursday, the DOJ said it was "seeking clarification on this unexpected shift" by the appeals court.
Teves is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder and four counts of attempted murder before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 over the March 4, 2023 shootings in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, that led to the killing of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and several of his supporters.
He was labeled as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council in 2023 and is facing multiple criminal charges before the courts.
Teves flew to Timor-Leste in 2023 to seek political asylum.
