Overview

• The decision follows his arrest in Dili by joint police and immigration officials after Manila cancelled his passport and he remained without a valid visa.
• Teves is wanted in the Philippines on multiple counts of murder and attempted murder for allegedly masterminding the March 2023 killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
• East Timor described his more than two-year stay while seeking asylum as a national security threat that could tarnish its image before its planned ASEAN accession in October.
• The Philippine Department of Justice has designated a team of justice and immigration officials to facilitate Teves’ swift return to face trial.
• Teves’ lawyer, José Ximenes, has denounced the arrest and deportation order as inhumane and lacking a valid warrant.