ILOILO CITY: The Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) has filed terrorism financing cases against five individuals affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its allied front organizations in Negros Island. In a press conference on Tuesday, PRO6 Regional Operations Division chief Col. Gilbert Gorero identified the respondents as Clarisa Ramos, Felipe Levy Gelle, Dharyl Albañez, Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar for violations of Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorism and Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.

According to Philippines News Agency, M/Sgt. Francisc John Dumdumaya, the deputized Anti-Money Laundering Council Financial Investigator of PRO6, represented the Philippine National Police in the filing of cases in Iloilo City on Monday. “These cases underwent preliminary investigation before the Department of Justice. All parties were given an opportunity to be heard pursuant to the rules on preliminary investigation,”
Gorero stated. He mentioned that they could not elaborate on the details since the cases are already in court.

Col. Gilbert Gorero highlighted the investigation’s goal of cutting the source of funds and noted that non-government organizations (NGOs) are often used as fronts. He praised the Regional Peace and Order Council for passing a resolution requiring NGOs to seek accreditation from local government units, ensuring they are not affiliated with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, Assistant Division Commander for Administration of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, commended the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, along with its Joint Focused Legal Team, PRO6, Philippine Army, National Intelligence and Coordinating Agency, and other security agencies, for their exceptional work. He remarked that this achievement signifies a significant victory in the anti-terrorism campaign, aiming to dismantle the financial network of the communist terrorist group in Panay an
d the entire Western Visayas.

In September, the region marked a significant decision with the conviction of Ian Arevallo by the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Kalibo, Aklan, after he pleaded guilty to being an accomplice in terrorism financing.