Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez reiterated yesterday that former Congressman Arnolfo Teves, Jr. has not been released from detention, saying he has been re-arrested following the process of the Timor-Leste police.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a similar statement on Monday night, June 10, in response to a claim by Teves lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio that he had been freed.
“Korek. Hindi siya pinalaya lamang kasi pagkalaya sa kanya, kaagad-agad ay naaresto naman siya. At ngayon ay naka-detain siya with Timor-Leste police,” Gutierrez said on the government show “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”
Teves is facing multiple murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder charges for the death of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and others.
The Anti-Terrorism Council designated him a terrorist last July, authorizing the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze his assets.
Gutierrez also quoted a news report on the DOJ’s denial that Teves had been released.
She also said the DOJ is confident that the Philippines’ extradition request for Teves will be granted.
“Dagdag pa rito, maaari pa ring i-deport ang dating congressman depende sa direksyong ginawa ng gobyerno ng Timor-Leste sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Pilipinas,” Gutierrez said, reading from the article.
‘Writ of habeas corpus granted’
Meanwhile, Topacio also insisted the expelled solon was temporarily released from detention on Monday, when his petition for the issuance of the writ of habeas corpus was granted.
“Sinabi po ng order na iyon na iligal ‘yung pag-detain kay Congressman Teves dahil may mga flaws o may pagkukulang ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa paggawa ng extradition request,” Topacio said.
Topacio noted that he, along with former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo and former Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano, are expected to testify for Teves in the extradition proceedings in Timor-Leste.
“We are doing our best for our client, and we are confident that the rule of law will prevail, sapagka’t napakahigpit ng Timor-Leste pagdating sa human rights violations because of their historical experience during their birth as a nation,” Topacio said.
After Topacio released a photo of a “released” Teves, the DOJ released a photo of him being “re-arrested.”
Gutierrez said that extradition proceedings against Teves are still ongoing. (ABS-CBN News)