Russia seeking transfer of sentenced persons agreement with PH – DOJ
By Jeffrey Damicog
Russia has sought to forge with the Philippines a transfer of sentenced persons agreement (TSPA), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Markk Perete (Photo courtesy of dumaguetecity.gov.ph / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We will start negotiating the TSPA with the Russian delegation sometime next year,” said DOJ spokesman and Undersecretary Markk Perete.
At the moment, the Philippines has TSPAs with five countries, namely, Canada, Cuba, Hong Kong, Spain, and Thailand.
Under the agreement, a convicted person can serve the remaining years of his sentence in his country of origin.
Perete said Filipinos convicted in Russia could benefit from the TSPA.
“May dalawang Pinoy now imprisoned sa Russia both for murder. Yung isa lalaya sa March 2020, yung isa sa November 2028 pa (There are two Filpinos currently serving sentences in Russia for murder. One will be freed on March 2020, while, the other will be released in November 2028),” he noted.
Aside from the TSPA, Perete said Russia is also set to forge with the Philippines extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties.
“About a month ago, they reiterated the early ratification of the two treaties,” the spokesman said.
Once an extradition treaty is in place, the Undersecretary explained a government can seek the return of its fugitive national
But if a Filipino is wanted in Russia, he explained the Philippines can refuse extradition on ground of nationality.
On the other hand, Perete said Russia can also refuse the extradition of its national wanted in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) with Austrlia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Under the MLAT, the Philippines may provide the taking of testimony or statement of persons; providing documents, records and items of evidence; locating or identifying witnesses or suspects; effecting serving documents; making arrangements for persons to give evidence or assist in investigation; identifying, tracing, restraining, forfeiting and confiscating proceeds and instrumentalities of criminal activities, including restraining of dealings in property or the freezing of assets alleged to be related to a criminal matter; and executing requests for searches and seizures.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Markk Perete (Photo courtesy of dumaguetecity.gov.ph / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We will start negotiating the TSPA with the Russian delegation sometime next year,” said DOJ spokesman and Undersecretary Markk Perete.
At the moment, the Philippines has TSPAs with five countries, namely, Canada, Cuba, Hong Kong, Spain, and Thailand.
Under the agreement, a convicted person can serve the remaining years of his sentence in his country of origin.
Perete said Filipinos convicted in Russia could benefit from the TSPA.
“May dalawang Pinoy now imprisoned sa Russia both for murder. Yung isa lalaya sa March 2020, yung isa sa November 2028 pa (There are two Filpinos currently serving sentences in Russia for murder. One will be freed on March 2020, while, the other will be released in November 2028),” he noted.
Aside from the TSPA, Perete said Russia is also set to forge with the Philippines extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties.
“About a month ago, they reiterated the early ratification of the two treaties,” the spokesman said.
Once an extradition treaty is in place, the Undersecretary explained a government can seek the return of its fugitive national
But if a Filipino is wanted in Russia, he explained the Philippines can refuse extradition on ground of nationality.
On the other hand, Perete said Russia can also refuse the extradition of its national wanted in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) with Austrlia, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Under the MLAT, the Philippines may provide the taking of testimony or statement of persons; providing documents, records and items of evidence; locating or identifying witnesses or suspects; effecting serving documents; making arrangements for persons to give evidence or assist in investigation; identifying, tracing, restraining, forfeiting and confiscating proceeds and instrumentalities of criminal activities, including restraining of dealings in property or the freezing of assets alleged to be related to a criminal matter; and executing requests for searches and seizures.