The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

PNP monitoring officials allegedly giving money to Reds

April 15, 2019



Philippine National Police (PNP) General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said they are monitoring public officials who are allegedly supporting to the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army in the form of extortion money and permit to campaign fees.

“Right now, they are just being monitored. We have to get hard evidence for this. These are all intelligence information that we get,” Albayalde said in a press briefing.

He said they are information politicians gave extortion money to the CPP-NPA but it will be hard for the PNP to prove this.

“Just like bribery, it will be hard to prove that this person gives money because for all you know they will also deny this,” said Albayalde.

The PNP chief said they have a list of those officials they are monitoring and it will be up to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to release the names.

According to PNP intelligence reports, out of the 349 officials, there are 11 provincial governors; five vice governors; 10 provincial board members; 55 mayors; 21 vice mayors and 41 councilors.

Also in the list are 126 barangay chairmen, 50 barangay councilors, and eight other barangay officials.

Earlier, the Department of Interior and Local Government said around 349 local and national officials were allegedly giving extortion money to the terrorist group during campaign period.

Año said based on consolidated figures by intelligence groups, a total of P195.5 million was accumulated by the CPP-NPA from various extortion activities during the 2016 polls.

“I would like to caution candidates, private individuals, and juridical entities, who willfully donate to the coffers of the enemies of the state of possible criminal liability for violation of RA 10168 or The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012,” said Albayalde.

He said the crime of financing terrorism, the act of giving any amount or item of value to the CPP-NPA is tantamount to disloyalty punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

“And if it is proven that the "fee" is made as part of a conspiracy to overthrow the government, the "donor" may be held liable as co-conspirator in the crime of rebellion,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS