Metro Manila, Philippines – Expelled Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves has sought assistance from the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights on the issues hounding him.

Teves’ legal counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, said the former congressman’s camp has two filings before the UN body as they bring up the matter of “harassment” and “political persecution.”

“One is invoking his right and containing about violations of his human rights and another is an application to the special rapporteurs to look into the case and see whether or not there is a violation of the rights of Mr. Teves as an individual and subject of international law under both the United Nations and Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Treaty on Civil and Political Rights,” Topacio said in a press forum.

The lawyer noted that the Philippines is a signatory to the said international laws.

“Under the doctrine of incorporation, they become also a part of the law. In the same level as acts of Congress. Therefore, dapat sundin ng ating gobyerno [the government should follow it],” Topacio said.

Teves is in Timor Leste for political asylum.

In June, the Justice department said Timor Leste’s Court of Appeals approved the Philippines request to extradite Teves. But he has yet to return to the country.

Teves has been tagged in the Negros Oriental shootings that resulted in the killing of Governor Roel Degamo, among others.

The former congressman is facing 10 counts of murder, 12 counts of frustrated murder, and four counts of attempted murder before a Manila court.