People donating money to the organizer of the Manginhawa community pantry should ask for an accounting of the funds given her alleged links to the communist rebel group, according to a Palace official.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy raised concern about the fundraising account set up by "AP Non" on PayPal and alerted the public about her suspected rebel connection.

Badoy was referring to Ana Patricia Non, or AP Non on social media, who is the brains behind the community pantry initiated in Maginhawa, Quezon City where anyone can donate and get food. The mutual aid project, widely praised for promoting kindness during the pandemic, has inspired others to set up similar food banks in their neighborhood.

In a Facebook post, Badoy said Non managed to raise half a million pesos since she started to ask for financial support online a few days ago. The weblink and screenshot of the fundraising project were shared by Badoy online.

The said account, asking for help to "provide support for organizers, volunteers, and advocates of community pantries in the Philippines in response to the economic crisis” caused by the pandemic, has so far received more than $12,000 from over 200 contributors. The fundraising drive, initiated by a certain Pauline Non, expires in 26 days.

"Why dollars, I wonder? Dollars for international donors, of course. You know those poor innocent white dudes who have no idea they’re being taken for a ride," Badoy said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 21.

"To those good hearts who have donated their dollars to AP Non, please ask for a clear accounting. Ask where your money went. Make sure it goes to where you want it to go," she added.

In the same social media post, Badoy bared the alleged connection of Non to the local rebel group.

"Because AP Non or Ka Patring, according to former CPP-NPA-NDF cadres who know her, is a member of the underground mass organization ARMAS. (Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan) that believes in the violent overthrow of government," she said.

"As officer of the Armas, Artista at Manunulat ng Sambyanan, she already went on an immersion in Southern Tagalog," she added.

She said Non, a student council member University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts in Diliman, was a member of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, a former head of Alay Sining, and national officer of Kabataang Artista Para sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Karatula).

Badoy also took a swipe at Non for allegedly dodging media queries about her suspected links to the communist group.

"She has sidestepped giving a clear and unequivocal NO when asked if she was a member of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army/National Democratic Front). Ask her again. Then ask her to denounce the terrorist CPP NPA NDF. That’ll be interesting to watch," she said.

Non has resumed the Maginhawa food pantry operations Wednesday a day after halting the project due to concerns over the alleged red-tagging and profiling by government forces. She has reportedly denied being part of the communist group, claiming she wanted to help people in need in her own little way.

Badoy agreed with the need for solidarity during these trying times but argued that many people have been helping others "without political agenda and press conferences.”