The sister of Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairperson Prospero De Vera has been arrested by the police in Quezon City for her alleged link to communist groups, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday, August 25.
PNP Chief, Police Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Adora Faye De Vera was nabbed in her house in Brgy. Teacher’s Village at 2:40 p.m. last Wednesday by virtue of a warrant of arrest for multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder with the use of explosives issued by Judge Guilljie Delfin Lim of Iloilo City Regional Trial Court Branch 22.
De Vera was accused by Azurin of being a “staff officer” of the General Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and “secretary” of the Central Front of the CPP-NPA Regional Committee in Panay.
De Vera was also accused in a separate criminal case for the crime of rebellion and is said to be the party wife of CPP-NPA Central Committee member Jessie Lipura, Azurin added.
In a statement sent to reporters, CHEd chairperson De Vera confirmed that the arrested communist suspect was indeed his sister but he was quick to distance himself from her sibling.
“As a sibling, I hope and pray for her safety and good health in detention as she faces the cases filed against her. I have not seen her and I have not spoken to her for more than 25 years since she decided to rejoin the underground movement. I do not share her views nor support her actions,” the education official said.
“I fully support the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. in its efforts to end the communist insurgency that has destroyed so many lives and property. I will let the law take its course in resolving the charges against her,” he added.