Quezon solon commends AFP, PNP for arrest of wanted NPA men in Atimonan

MANILA, Philippines – A Quezon Province lawmaker has commended the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for the arrest of two suspected officials of the New People’s Army (NPA) inside the house of a local government official in Atimonan in December.

Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan of the 4th District of Quezon lauded the authorities for the arrest of suspects Ruel Custodio or “Baste” and Ruben Istokado or “Oyo/Miles,” who were arrested inside the house of Rhodora “Dhoray” Blas Tan, a Board Member from the 4th District of Quezon, in Barangay Zone 3, Poblacion.

Custodio and Istokado were fugitives for charges of kidnapping and murder.

“I would like to commend our joint operatives from the AFP and the PNP for their successful operation that led to the arrest of two high-ranking rebel leaders. The arrest shows the firm resolve of our uniformed personnel to keep the country safe from lawlessness even in the midst of pandemic and holiday festivities,” Tan said.

She also called upon the police and military operatives to immediately investigate the possible involvement of Board Member Dhoray Tan to criminal activities since high powered ammunitions were also confiscated from the suspects inside her residence.

Tan, who chairs the health panel of the House of Representatives, said she has no relations at all to the beleaguered local official.

“Allow me to clarify certain misconceptions that I am related to Dhoray Tan. While we share the same family name, we are not in any manner related to each other. I took my husband’s last name, Engr. Ronnel Montanez Tan, a native of Gumaca, Quezon.

On the other hand, Dhoray Tan took the surname of her husband, a certain Jason Tan from Atimonan, Quezon.

“We are not also political allies inasmuch as we belong to different political parties and have different political loyalties and affiliation. I belong to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) while Dhoray Tan ran as a member of the Nationalista Party. She is also a staunch ally of the incumbent governor of Quezon, Danilo Suarez.”

JPV