Philippines seeks extradition of murder suspect from East Timor

The Philippines is pushing for the extradition of Arnolfo Teves Jnr, a former politician charged with murder. Teves is accused of killing his political rival and several others in 2023. A Timorese court recently approved his appeal to block the extradition. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla stated that East Timor's efforts to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) could complicate the situation. He emphasized the Philippines' historical role as a founding member of Asean since 1967. East Timor has been seeking Asean membership since it gained independence from Indonesia in 2002. The bloc granted East Timor observer status and agreed, in principle, to its future membership, allowing it to participate in high-level meetings.