The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed the filing of charges against a Quezon Provincial Board Member for allegedly coddling two suspected top members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who were arrested inside her home in Atimonan, Quezon last December 26.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said Provincial Board Member Rhodora Tan of the Fourth District of Quezon should be held criminally and administratively liable for allegedly coddling in her own residence at Brgy Zone 3, Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon two members of the NPA namely Ruel Custodio alias “Baste” and Ruben Istokado alias “Oyo Miles,” both of whom have standing warrant of arrests.
Custodio is a finance officer of the Sub-Regional Military Area-4 of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee while Istokado is a political instructor of L1, KP1 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee of the CPP-NPA.
“Paano maipapaliwanag na sa bahay niya mismo nasakote ang mga NPA? Hindi tama na kanlungin at proteksyunan ang mga kaaway ng bayan na matagal nang nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan. Mas mabigat ang asunto dito kapag ikaw ay isang public official,” said Año.
The DILG Secretary expressed disbelief that a public official whose sworn duty is to promote and protect the interest and welfare of the public provided shelter and refuge to known enemies of the people.
“Imbis na kayo ang manguna sa pagsuplong sa mga teroristang ito, kayo pa mismo ang kumakanlong sa kanila. Nasaan ba talaga ang loyalty ninyo — para sa bayan at sa demokrasya o para sa mga terorista at komunismo?,” he said.
According to the DILG Chief, Tan could face up to six years in jail if found guilty of obstruction of justice under Presidential Decree 1829. “Puwede rin siyang kasuhan as an accomplice or accessory to the crimes committed by the NPA members kapag napatunayan na involved siya or may effort on her part to protect them,” he said.
At the same time, Año said Tan will also be facing administrative liabilities for Disloyalty to the Republic under Civil Service Commission Rules and Administrative Order 23, series of 1992. “Under the said AO, Tan can either be removed or suspended from office when found guilty,” he said.
Similarly, under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, civil servants are expected to “at all times be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people” and “uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.”
Año said that while the number of local government units declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army as persona non grata are increasing, it is disappointing to encounter a handful of public officials who covertly support, directly or indirectly, the cause of communist terrorist groups.
“Doble kara ang ilan sa ating mga local officials. Huwag kayong magkubli sa posisyon ninyo sa gobyerno dahil ang tunay na kulay ninyo pala ay pula. Wala kayong karapatang manatili sa pamahalaan,” he said.