Earlier yesterday NOTICIASAOMINUTO posted this Statement from the President of Timor-Leste (Translated to English)
Timor-Leste President: Former Filipino Lawmaker Must Leave the Country
Dili, May 27, 2025 — Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta declared today that the country no longer wants former Filipino congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. to remain within its territory, citing national interest and the need to avoid harboring fugitives.
“Regardless of all legal and constitutional considerations, every country upholds its national interest,” Ramos-Horta said in a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Dili. “And in this case, it is not in our national interest to keep someone of that nature here. We must avoid becoming a haven for those who commit crimes in the region.”
Teves is facing accusations in the Philippines of orchestrating the murder of 10 individuals, including the March 2023 assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. He was arrested in Dili last year under an Interpol Red Notice at the request of Philippine authorities but was later denied extradition by Timor-Leste’s Court of Appeals in March 2024.
Timor-Leste had earlier rejected Teves’ request for political asylum in May 2023, giving him five days to leave the country after determining that he did not meet the requirements.
“The non-extradition issue has been resolved—he is not eligible for asylum. If there is an Interpol warrant and a request from Philippine authorities to act on it, it would be grossly irresponsible for this country to ignore it,” Ramos-Horta emphasized.
The president also urged the justice system and agencies responsible for implementing the law to act decisively, though he did not elaborate on specific next steps.
Tensions have emerged in recent months between Timor-Leste and the Philippines over the court’s decision not to extradite Teves. Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla had previously warned that this refusal could affect Timor-Leste’s bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which the Philippines is a founding member.
Despite the friction, the Philippines officially expressed support last week for Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership, which is expected to be formalized in October during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Late last night this happened (As narrated by Axl Teves )
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ai6DUncWL/
