DOJ working on Teves deportation

The passport of expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. is now in the process of cancellation, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

“If you are a fugitive from justice, your right to travel is impaired basically. His passport is in the process of being canceled,” Remulla said in a press briefing.

“Your constitutional right to travel is limited when you are fugitive from justice, and you cannot seek from a government for protection if you have a record that you are a fugitive from justice,” he added.

Remulla said Teves still remains in Timor-Leste where the former legislator sought for asylum but got denied.

Teves has appealed the denial, but Remulla said he believes the former lawmaker does not have a big chance to secure asylum.

Once Teves’ passport is canceled, the justice secretary said the Department of Justice (DOJ) will work out to place him in the red notice of the International Criminal Police Organization.He added that Teves’ name will also be placed in the records of the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime.

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Teves, who has been designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, is facing multiple murder charges for the March 4 killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine other people as well as for the 2019 murders of three other persons in the province.

Remulla earlier said that he would write a letter asking East Timor to turn over Teves to the Philippines. INQ