The suspended Congressman of Negros Oriental, Arnie Teves, is in Timor Leste and is seeking special asylum, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
“Mr. Teves entered Timor-Leste a week ago, a week ago, trying to seek special asylum status in Timor-Leste,” said Remulla in the ambush interview this Tuesday.
Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Teves’ lawyer, refused to comment on Remulla’s statement.
It is stated in the Immigration Service of Timor Leste, that the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste grants asylum to: “foreigners and stateless persons persecuted or is guaranteed seriously threatened of persecution as a result of activity performed in State of nationality or habitual residence.”
The said state also ensured the granting of asylum to those: “fearing justifiably being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, are unable or, owing such fear, unwilling to return to the State of nationality or habitual residence.”
But according to Remulla, they see no political reason for Teves to take asylum in Timor-Leste.
“We don’t see any political reason for him to seek asylum in Timor-Leste. It’s really for not wanting to face the consequences of certain actions by which he’s being held to account for,” said the secretary.
Arnie Teves wants asylum in Timor-Leste – DOJ chief
According to Remulla, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informed them about Arnie Teves’ plan.
The DOJ has reportedly written to the DFA to inform the Timor-Leste ambassador of Teves’s situation in the Philippines.
“We have written a letter telling Timor-Leste that he’s a person of interest in murder cases and he’s being considered for designation as a terrorist by the country,” said Remulla.
“And giving a fair warning about a person asking for asylum, may not necessarily be a good candidate for that,” he added.
Teves is implicated in the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight others. The congressman denied the allegation.
Remulla had previously said that Arnie Teves has been going back and forth to South Korea and Cambodia, constantly refusing to return to the Philippines because of threats to his life.
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