After polls, DILG to file cases vs local officials financing NPA

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Thursday it will be filing charges after the elections against incumbent local officials who have supported the collection of “permit-to-campaign fees” and other extortion activities by the New People’s Army (NPA).

“After the elections, we will file the cases,” Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, spokesperson of the DILG said in a press briefing at the agency’s office.

“Kapag sinabi namin na magpa-file kami [ng case], magpafile kami (When we say we will file cases, we will file cases),” he stressed.

This was a development to an earlier statement by the DILG saying it would be filing cases against local officials supporting the NPA even before the elections, if the agency can gather enough information against them.

READ: DILG to politicians: Stop financing, supporting NPA, or else…

Malaya’s warning came as he added that the number of local officials supporting the NPA’s extortion activities has decreased.

However, Malaya said the DILG has yet to consolidate the number of officials currently supporting the NPA as reported by intelligence sources.

The DILG earlier said 349 former and incumbent local officials have helped finance the NPA based on information gathered from 2016 to 2018.

READ: DILG says 349 gov’t officials financing NPA

At the same press conference, Philippine National Police spokesman Col. Bernard  Banac said local officials who are verified to be financial supporters of the NPA may be held liable as co-conspirators in the crime of rebellion.

Banac added that the officials may also be charged with violating Republic Act 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.  /muf