Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 6) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is closely coordinating with the International Police (Interpol) for the arrest of expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr. following the release of a warrant.
The PNP said it cannot simply serve the warrant of arrest, especially if the country where Teves is staying does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines.
“Hindi pwede basta-basta na once makita siya or ma-locate yung kanyang whereabouts, kasi he is about outside jurisdiction of Philippine government,” PNP spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo said on Wednesday.
“Assuming nasa lugar siya at wala tayong extradition treaty, we cannot simply implement a warrant of arrest. We have to go through the normal process,” she added
[Translation: We cannot be hasty once he is located because he is outside the jurisdiction of the Philippine government. Assuming that he is in a place where we do not have an extradition treaty, we cannot simply implement the warrant of arrest. We have to go through the normal process.]
On Tuesday, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 51 issued a warrant against Teves over the killing of Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others in Pamplona, Negros Oriental.
“The PNP is closely coordinating with Interpol to make sure that all legal processes magagamit para at least may assurance tayo na makuha ang objective na maimplement and serve ang warrant of arrest. These are challenges we are facing right now. There are some legal impediments to enforce a warrant of arrest,” Fajardo added.
[Translation: The PNP is closely coordinating with Interpol to make sure that all legal processes are used so we are assured the objective to serve the warrant of arrest is implemented. These are challenges we are facing right now. There are some legal impediments to enforce warrant of arrest.]
Fajardo said the government is looking into using Teves’ designation as a terrorist to convince other countries to take custody of the former lawmaker.
The PNP said law enforcers are ready in case Teves returns to the country.
Fajardo added with a warrant of arrest already out, a citizen’s arrest can be made.
“Warrant of arrest ay naka-address to any peace officer. In fact, any civilian ay pwede mag implement warrant of arrest — citizen’s arrest. But they have to call the attention of police officers assuming na he will decide to come home. As soon as he steps down from the plane pwede iimplement ang warrant of arrest against him,” she said.
[Translation: The warrant of arrest is addressed to any peace officer. In fact, any civilian can implement a warrant of arrest — citizen’s arrest. But they have to call the attention of police officers, assuming that he decides to come home. As soon as he steps down from the plane, the warrant of arrest can be implemented.]
The Department of Justice on Wednesday welcomed the warrant issued against Teves and the others named as co-accused.
“This significant development marks a crucial step forward in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families,” the DOJ said in a statement.
