DOJ chief: ‘Nothing unlawful’ for any CPP-linked group to back candidates
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday that it is not illegal for any group linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to support any political party or candidate in the May polls.
“There’s nothing unlawful for any groups associated with the CPP/NPA to support any political party or individual in the forthcoming elections,” Guevarra said, further explaining that “it is when they commit acts of violence to sow terror and destabilize public order in the guise of exercising their political right that will prompt the Anti-Terrorism Council to take action.”
As it is now, however, the DOJ chief said, “we don’t have sufficient factual basis at this time to initiate an investigation.”
Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla in a previous interview over DZRH claimed that students who participated in the Cavite campaign rally of Vice President Leni Robredo are activists that were trained by the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the CPP.
READ: Cavite solon: Campaign rally participants paid P500 each
Robredo is running for president in the May 9 elections.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is also running for president, also claimed earlier that there were intelligence reports on the alleged presence of CPP-NPA at Robredo’s grand rally in Cavite, where organizers said around 47,000 people attended. But the senator said it is “reassuring” that Robredo denied allegedly forging a “coalition government” with the communist rebels.
READ: Robredo on being linked to CPP-NPA: ‘It’a lie… Try harder’
Last March 13, President Rodrigo Duterte said he received an intelligence report about an alleged conspiracy between communist insurgents and “yellow” forces to disrupt the upcoming polls.
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