DOJ urges Timor-Leste to deport Arnie Teves after alleged bribery attempt

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday urged Timor-Leste authorities to immediately deport or extradite former lawmaker Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. after his son allegedly offered a bribe to a member of the East Timor police.

The call was made in a statement by the DOJ on Thursday. Citing reports, the Justice Department said that Teves’ son offered a bribe to a member of the Criminal Investigation Police in the amount of $2,000 or P114,000 in exchange for special treatment such as “security” inside and outside the Becora Prison where the ex-solon from Negros Oriental is being held.

The DOJ said Teves is currently in pre-trial detention.

“Go home and face the Court squarely," said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“Let us stop playing hide and seek with the law, one cannot evade accountability for eternity. Prolonging your liabilities with the Rule of Law only worsens your predicament," he added.

The former lawmaker’s legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, disputed the allegations.

''The son of Rep. Teves did not offer money to a law enforcement officer in Timor Leste. On the contrary, it was the officer who demanded money from my client's son, and the matter has been reported and is under investigation,'' Topacio said in a statement on Friday.

''Remulla should explain why he is peddling disinformation and insulting the intelligence of our local media with misleading disinformation,'' he added.

Teves, the alleged mastermind in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others in March 2023, was arrested in March while playing golf at a driving range in Dili. 

The former lawmaker was out of the country at the time of the attack and never returned following the governor’s death. He has repeatedly denied his involvement in the killings.

Teves is facing charges of murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder.

Aside from Degamo's murder, Teves and others have also been charged with the deaths of three individuals in Negros Oriental in 2019.

In early February, a Manila Court ordered the cancellation of Teves’ passport.

Teves was expelled by the House of Representatives in August last year for disorderly conduct and continued absence despite an expired travel authority.

The ex-solon and 12 others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

The 52-year old politician-businessman has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. His camp previously said it would bring his case before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).—RF/KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News