Former Negros Oriental representative Arnie Teves Jr., who is facing multiple murder charges in the Philippines, is still in Timor-Leste amid his pending case, said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday, March 3, 2025. 

“He’s in Timor-Leste. He’s there,” Remulla said in an ambush interview of GMA News Online. 

In December 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that the Timor-Leste Court of Appeal granted for the second time the country’s extradition request for Teves.

Remulla said he was told that they will get an update soon on the case, the report added.

“The appeal process in Timor-Leste seems to be endless but I was assured that we will get the news very soon about this matter,” he said.

To recall, Timor-Leste granted previously the country's first extradition request for Teves in June 2024.

However, the report pointed out, Teves' camp contested the ruling on procedural grounds, specifically on the number of judges involved in the decision. This prompted the Timor-Leste court to order the parties to again present evidence in the case.

Teves is facing multiple murder charges allegedly for the murder of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and others in March 2023, or two years ago as of posting time. 

He and others have also been designated as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council, citing alleged killings in Negros Oriental.

The former lawmaker has denied the allegations against him. 

(via GMA Integrated News)