ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office-6 and the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army confirmed that a non-government organization in Negros Occidental is facing a case of terrorism financing.
POLICE Col. Gilbert Gorero, Col. Erwin Lamzon of the Philippine Army, spokesperson Police Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, and Police Master Sgt. Francisco John Dumdumaya discuss the terrorism financing case in Camp Delgado in Iloilo City. (Tara Yap)
Clarissa Ramos, Felipe Levy Gelle, Federico Salvilla, Perla Pavillar, and Darryl Albañez have been charged for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
With the exception of Albañez, all are members of Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG), an NGO in Kabankalan City.
The NGO allegedly had financial transactions with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Police Col.Gilbert Gorero, chief of the PRO-6 Regional Operations Division, said the main purpose was to cut the source of funds as NGOs are allegedly used by the CPP-NPA as fronts.
Gorero added that there was a preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Police Master Sgt. Francisco John Dumdumaya of the PRO-6 Regional Intelligence Division and a deputized anti-money laundering investigator filed the case in Iloilo City early this week.
Dumdumaya said the case was based on sworn statements of a finance officer of the CPP-NPA Tahod Ilahas Command.
Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, 3rd ID assistant division commander for administration, said the case buildup was a joint effort by law enforcers.
Lamzon credited the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict-6, the 3rd ID, the PRO-6, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).
“This achievement is a testament to their dedication in ending the decades-long insurgency by dismantling the financial network of the communist terrorist group in Panay and the whole Western Visayas,” Lamzon said.
This is not the first terrorism financing case in Western Visayas region. Last September, a 35-year-old from Capiz province was convicted by the court for financing the NPA in Panay Island.