In DILI, East Timor, a former Filipino congressman, Arnolfo Teves Jr., is facing extradition back to his home country to face charges related to orchestrating the killings of a provincial governor and others. Teves sought asylum in East Timor after an Interpol red notice was issued for his arrest, leading to his detention while at a golf driving range in the Timorese capital of Dili in March.

Despite Teves’ initial asylum request being rejected and delays in finalizing the appeal due to judicial holidays, East Timor’s President José Ramos-Horta indicated that it is highly likely that Teves will have to leave the country soon. Ramos-Horta stated that Teves has exhausted his appeals and does not meet the criteria for asylum under international humanitarian law.

Teves is implicated in the killings of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others by individuals in military attire in March 2023, an attack that left 17 others injured and was recorded by security cameras. Teves has refuted any involvement in the killings, which were described by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as politically motivated.

East Timor, the youngest country in Asia, is in the process of joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), alongside the Philippines and nine other nations. At present, East Timor holds observer status in the regional bloc and aims to become a full member in the coming year, as mentioned by Ramos-Horta.