Castro: Extradition an option in case Teves ignores request for him to return to PH

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 17) — Extradition is an option for authorities in case Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves ignores the call for him to return to the Philippines and face the allegations made against him regarding the death of the province’s governor, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said Friday.

“There are other remedies, for example country-to-country remedies or extradition, so the appropriate agency or our institution can avail of that so that Representative Teves would come back to our country. Hindi naman pwede na magtagal s'ya doon na wala s'yang authority to travel or leave of absence na formal,” Castro told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

[Translation: He cannot stay there for long without a formal authority to travel or leave of absence.]

Amid allegations that he orchestrated the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo, Teves has requested for a two-month leave from the House of Representatives due to “very grave security threat" to his life and family. 

He left the country late last month for medical treatment. Since then, he has not returned even after the expiration of his travel authority on Mar. 9.

Castro said the House Committee on Ethics on Wednesday sent an email to Teves asking him to justify his request for a two-month leave.

The panel will then meet on Monday to discuss what actions to take depending on the developments, she noted.

On Mar. 4, Degamo and eight others were killed by heavily armed men in the government official’s residence in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.

Among the arrested suspects, one has identified a “Congressman Teves” as the mastermind of the murder. 

While Degamo and Teves are political rivals, the lawmaker has denied his involvement in the crime, saying he and his family will not benefit from it.

After a recount of votes last year, the Commission on Elections annulled the proclamation of Teves' brother, Pryde Henry, as Negros Oriental provincial governor. That paved the way for Degamo to take over the post.