ILOILO CITY – Police arrested three individuals in Negros Occidental province for alleged terrorism financing.
Police identified the suspects as Federico Salvilla, Perla Pavillar, and Darryl Albañez.
The suspects were apprehended by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office in separate operations on Jan. 2.
Except Albañez, Salvilla and Pavillar are members of Paghida-et sa Kauswagan Development Group (PDG), a non-government organization based in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The suspects were among the five persons charged last December for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
The Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-6 filed the case against the suspects and fellow NGO members Clarissa Ramos and Felipe Levy Gelle in a court in Iloilo City.
Preliminary investigation conducted by the Department of Justice found out that the NGO allegedly had financial transactions with the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
“Terrorism financing remains the single, most utilized strategy by the CPP-NPA in their desperate bid to overthrow our democratic government,” said Police Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, PRO-6 chief.
“Cutting the source of funds and prosecuting those who facilitate the generation of these funds will finally put an end to the CPP-NPA,” added Wanky.
The Army 3rd Infantry Division welcomed the arrest of the suspects.
“Let us continue to work together and finish the fight against terrorism financing. By this, we can bring the communist terrorists to their ultimate end,” said Major Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commanding general.
“Through our continued cooperation, collaboration and resolute dedication, we can put an end to this menace and establish a stable internal peace and security environment in the region,” added Sison.