DILG wants filing of raps vs local official for allegedly coddling NPA rebels

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday directed the filing of charges against a Quezon Provincial Board Member for allegedly coddling two suspected members of the New People's Army (NPA) arrested in Atimonan over the weekend.

In a press statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said Provincial Board Member Rhodora Tan of the 4th district of Quezon should be held criminally and administratively liable for allegedly coddling Ruel Custodio and Ruben Istokado in her residence at Barangay Zone 3, Poblacion.

"Paano maipapaliwanag na sa bahay niya mismo nasakote ang mga NPA? Hindi tama na kanlungin at proteksyunan ang mga kaaway ng bayan na matagal nang nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan.  Mas mabigat ang asunto dito kapag ikaw ay isang public official," Año said.

"Imbis na kayo ang manguna sa pagsuplong sa mga teroristang ito, kayo pa mismo ang kumakanlong sa kanila. Nasaan ba talaga ang loyalty ninyo—para sa bayan at sa demokrasya o para sa mga terorista at komunismo?" he added.

Custodio is believed to be the finance officer of the Sub-Regional Military Area-4 of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee while Istokado is a political instructor of L1, KP1 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee of the CPP-NPA, the DILG said.

Año warned that Tan could face up to six years of imprisonment if found guilty of obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829.

"Puwede rin siyang kasuhan as an accomplice or accessory to the crimes committed by the NPA members kapag napatunayan na involved siya or may effort on her part to protect them," he said.

He added that Tan could also face administrative liabilities for Disloyalty to the Republic under Civil Service Commission Rules and Administrative Order 23, series of 1992, noting that the official can either be removed or suspended from office when found guilty.

Año said it is disappointing to encounter a handful of public officials who "covertly support, directly or indirectly, the cause of communist terrorist groups."

"Doble kara ang ilan sa ating mga local official. Huwag kayong magkubli sa posisyon ninyo sa gobyerno dahil ang tunay na kulay ninyo pala ay pula.  Wala kayong karapatang manatili sa pamahalaan," he said.

Meanwhile, the DILG chief lauded law enforcers who arrested the two NPA rebels last December 26.

State forces served the warrant of arrest to Custodio and Istokado for alleged violation of Article 267 (Kidnapping) of the Revised Penal Code and of Republic Act No. 10591 inside Tan's house.

Año said Custodio was responsible for extorting revolutionary taxes in the province of Quezon and was charged with kidnapping on July 17, 2019 and illegal possession of firearms on November 27, 2019.

On the other hand, Istokado was responsible for spreading communist propaganda as well as recruiting new members. He was  also charged with double murder and multiple murder on September 4, 2014.

Firearms were confiscated from the suspects, the DILG said.—AOL, GMA News