NPA financiers with terrorism financing charged

By J.Lo

“We will never let even an inch of terrorism’s tyranny sow fear among our citizens, much more let  cowards behind this menace run free… time when we Filipinos should fortify our resolve and show our resilience in fighting this evil,” Department of Justice (DOJ) press release read, quoting Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla two individuals who are allegedly responsible for “financing terrorism” and collecting “revolutionary funds” for  insurgent group Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) have been charged by DOJ. 

In  statement by  Justice department DOJ said  there is sufficient evidence to charge Leonor Taguinod Dumlao and Valentin Cruz Tolentino after an investigation revealed that the two individuals are members of  National Finance Commission (NFC) of the CPP-NPA.

Duo  were charged for violation of  Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

CPP-NPA’s NFC has  direct involvement in demanding money from construction firms, telecommunication companies, bus companies, mining companies and businessmen disguised as “revolutionary taxes,” according to  DOJ. 

According to DOJ case stemmed after reports that Dumlao and Tolentino possessed firearms and ammunition without clear source of income or apparent purpose.

This prompted  police authorities to conduct background checks and ask lligence counterparts from  National Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to request search warrants from  court.

It was also found that respondents were behind  formation of  National Economic Striking Force of  CPP-NPA, provides security for the “Rebolusyonaryong Buwis sa Kaaway na Uri” or RBKU.

If found guilty, Dumlao and Tolentino could face imprisonment ranging from 20 to 40 years and fine ranging from P500,000 to one million pesos.