Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Vic Ladlad.
Año said the arrest proved that “no one is above the law,” adding that Ladlad and the other suspects were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.
“No one is above the law. Kapag ikaw ay nagkamali, it is imperative that the laws of the land be imposed as it was deemed so. He and his cohorts, were found to be in possession of high-caliber firearms which is clearly in violation of the law,” Año said in a statement.
“Kahit sino man pong indibidwal na mahulihan ng ganitong kataas na kalibre ng mga baril at napatunayang lumabag sa batas ay huhulihin at mapaparusahan,” he added.
READ: PNP confirms arrest of NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad
Año said Ladlad only pretended to be advocate of peace but later revealed to have taken up arms against the government.
“Finally, the long arm of the law has caught Mr. Ladlad. He has been avoiding incarceration by claiming that he is a peace consultant and a JASIG-protected person,” he said.
“We are not at all shocked of his possession of high-caliber firearms. Kung titignan mo ang background ng mga ito, you will see that they have been working to oust the government and our democratic way of life,” Año added.
Año said that Ladlad, together with the two other arrested suspects, violated Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition. He said they were arrested in a safehouse located at Barangay San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City.
He added that Ladlad and the two other arrested suspects are currently undergoing proper documentation and will be facing criminal charges.
“Tinitiyak po namin sa ating mga kababayan na ang mga nasakoteng mga indibidwal ay sasailalim sa patas na pagsisiyasat sa ilalim ng ating Saligang Batas, gaya ng sinumang mamamayan,” Año said. /muf