Former congressman turned fugitive Arnolfo Teves Jr. seems prepared to play a long game in order to avoid facing justice here in the Philippines.
Wanted by both local law enforcement and the Interpol, Teves is accused of being the brains behind the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo last year. Degamo and nine others were mercilessly killed, while several others were wounded in what has been referred to as the Pamplona Massacre.
The expelled lawmaker is currently in Timor-Leste, where he was apprehended while hiding from Philippine authorities. He is now facing either deportation or extradition.
But Teves’ camp said it could take a while before the former solon could be returned home, asserting that they would exhaust all available means to prevent Teves from being handed over to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Among these is to reapply for political asylum in Timor-Leste, despite the country having previously rejected his application.
Moreover, Teves’ camp is also planning to bring his case before the United Nations Human
Rights Council (UHRC).
This is laughable! How could Teves possibly expect support from Timor-Leste and the UNHRC, considering that he is not only wanted for murders, but also has been branded as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council?
I doubt Timor-Leste would reconsider his application for protection, and neither would the UNHRC lend an ear to a suspected terrorist.
Yet, Teves’ counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, remains optimistic about receiving a favorable decision from the Timor-Leste government. He points to the country's history of oppression, emphasizing the Timorese people's strong stance on human rights, denial of due process and disapproval of political persecution.
So, what Topacio is implying is that his client is a victim of political oppression and
persecution, with his human rights being violated and due process being denied?
Geez! Felons and terrorists might wish they could do the same just to avoid consequences of their crimes.
Several factors determine one's eligibility to obtain political asylum, and these criteria may vary from one country to another.
Timor-Leste, for instance, grants the right of asylum to foreigners and stateless persons who are persecuted or seriously threatened with persecution due to activities in their state of nationality or habitual residence in support of democracy, social and national liberation, peace among peoples, and freedom and rights of the human person.
The Southeast Asian nation also guarantees the right of asylum to individuals who have a justifiable fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. These persons may be unable or unwilling to return to their state of nationality or habitual residence due to such fear.
Dissecting these criteria, none of these seems to apply to Teves' plight. In fact, Timor-Leste should not only disqualify the ousted solon from obtaining asylum, but also ban him from staying in the country, given Teves and his private armed group's alleged involvement in a string of killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. It is unlikely that Timor-Leste citizens would welcome him roaming their streets.
No one in their right mind would offer shelter to someone whose offenses, as outlined by the anti-terror body, involve acts of terrorism such as planning, training, preparation and facilitation of terrorist activities, recruitment to and affiliation with a terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists. Also, it would set a very bad precedent for future cases, as it would enable wanted criminals and terrorists to seek sanctuary elsewhere. They could simply flee to another country and seek political refuge, alleging fear for their lives upon return.
But what Teves certainly fears is the possibility of ending up behind bars, given the overwhelming evidence and witnesses pointing to him as the mastermind behind the carnage.
If Teves fails to receive a favorable decision from either Timor-Leste or the UNHRC, where else could he turn for help? European Union? The Vatican?
What Teves really should do is to stop pulling ridiculous tricks and instead come home to face the music.
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