DILG wants list of dept. employees linked to ‘communist’ group

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered its regional directors to list down the names of employees working in the agency who are members of a progressive group tagged as a “communist terrorist” group.

In an order dated March 10, the DILG ordered its regional directors to “initiate an investigation” and validate employees who are members of the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage).

“If found to be true and authenticated, please submit their names for the perusal and information of the undersigned,” the order, signed by DILG Asst. Secretary for Public Safety and Security Alexander Macario, read.

“It is advised further, to fend off and discourage existing employees, association, or organization in your office to affiliate with the known [Communist Terrorist Group] organization,” the order added.

Aside from Courage, the DILG also identified the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) as a “communist” group.

INQUIRER.net has reached out to DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya for comment on the matter, but has yet to get a response as of this writing.

Earlier,  the intelligence officer of the Calbayog City police requested the local court for a list of the lawyers representing alleged members of communist groups.

The Philippine National Police later ordered the relief of Lt. Fernando Calabria, Jr., the intelligence officer who asked the Calbayog Regional Trial Court for the identities of the lawyers, as well as the Calbayog City police chief over the matter.

/MUF