The Department of Justice urged expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. to face the charges against him in the Philippines, not before any international body like the United Nations Human Rights Council.
“We do not recognize or acknowledge any camp that refuses to go through our own justice system,” Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said, reacting to the plan of Teves’ lawyers both in the Philippines and in Timor-Leste to elevate the expelled legistator’s case before the UNHRC.
“The brutal crimes happened here in the Philippines. The families of the victims are here in the Philippines. So, we want justice to be served here in the Philippines,” Clavano added.
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation said it could take as fast as a week to as long as 40 days to have Teves deported from Timor
Leste, where he was arrested last week.
For his part, Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said they are ready should the former lawmaker and designated terrorist be repatriated back to Manila.
“We’re ready for anything. Even if he is sent back to the Philippines, there will still be a trial. So let’s see what evidence they have against him,” Topacio said in a television interview yesterday.
NBI Director Medardo De Lemos, who led the Philippine delegation to Timor Leste last week, said they are aware that the process will take a while.
“The purpose of the trip was exploratory and to determine if Teves was there…It’s a major victory for us to have located Cong. Teves and to have him arrested by the local authorities,” he said.
“There is a court process and from what we understand it may take between seven days to a maximum of 40 days,” he added.
De Lemos said Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, who had a meeting with the Philippine team before Teves was arrested, said he wants the proceedings “finished soon.”
Teves is facing murder charges for the killing of former Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and others in March 2023.
He was arrested last week in Dili, Timor Leste while playing golf.
Former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, for her part, downplayed the plan of Teves’ lawyers to bring his case to the UN human rights body.
“UN bodies cannot give succor, as they are not a refuge to scoundrels.
Ibalik na sya dito agad, paharapin sa mga kaso, at panagutin sa kanyang mga krimen dito (Bring him back here and have him face the criminal charges against him here in the Philippines),” De Lima said.
Before his arrest, Teves, whose asylum request from the government of Timor Leste was rejected, had been in hiding for about a year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has also cancelled his passport.