A Manila court has forfeited the more than P500,000 cash that operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had confiscated from two suspected communist rebels in Tacloban City two years ago.

CIDG director Police Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee said the ruling of the Manila court is a landmark case involving cash that government troopers would seize in the anti-communist insurgency operations across the country.

"This decision as a landmark case of civil forfeiture for the CIDG and its partner agency against the communist terrorist organization. This success is a huge step in the PNP's relentless campaign to neutralize any forms of terrorism financing," said Lee.

In its ruling, the court said the huge sum of money from Mariel Domequil and Frenchie Mae Cumpio clearly came from illegal activities.

Defense and security officials have been accusing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), through its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA) , or engaging in extortion activities through revolutionary taxes it allegedly collects from the business sector and other private individuals.

"Considering that the subject funds of respondents Cumpio and Domequil are related to an unlawful activity and the said respondents failed to adduce evidence to prove otherwise, the same shall be forfeited in favor of the Government," the decision read.

Cumpio and Domequil were arrested on Feb. 7, 2020 in Barangay Calanipawan, Tacloban City during the implementation of a search warrant. Seized from them were two hand grenades and two calibers .45 pistols.

CIDG operatives also found and confiscated a black box containing cash in Php1000.00 and Php500.00 denominations amounting to P557,360.

The CIDG then requested the Anti Money Laundering Council to conduct the investigation and file the proper petition before the Manila Court. The case was filed on Dec. 7 this year.

Lee said Cumpio and Domequil are finance officers of Human Rights Group and Gabriela and they likewise facilitated the distribution of funds and other logistical supplies such as ammunition to the members of the CPP-NPA.

"The CPP-NPA is designated as a terrorist group not only by the United States but also by the Republic of the Philippines. There is no doubt that the captured CTG (communist terrorist group) members are custodians or repositories of funds for the CPP-NPA, and there is a high probability that the funds seized from them are owned by the CPP-NPA and intended to be used by the said terrorist organization," said Lee.

"This success is a huge step in the PNP's relentless campaign to neutralize any forms of terrorism financing," he added.