CHEd’s De Vera on sister’s arrest: ‘I pray for her safety’ but fully backs anti-insurgency efforts

FILE PHOTO: Commission on Higher Education chairperson Prospero de Vera III. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Higher Education chief Prospero De Vera III said he is praying for the safety and good health of his sister – an alleged ranking officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – who has been arrested in Quezon City.

De Vera, at the same time, said in a statement that he is not condoning the views and actions of his sibling as he fully supports the government “in its efforts to end the communist insurgency.”

“I recently read in the news that Adora Faye de Vera has been arrested in Metro Manila by law enforcement authorities from Region 6. As a sibling, I hope and pray for her safety and good health in detention as she faces the cases filed against her,” he said. “I do not share her views nor support her actions.”

According to him, he has neither spoken to nor seen his sister for more than 25 years “since she decided to rejoin the underground movement.”

“I fully support the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. in its efforts to end the communist insurgency that has destroyed so many lives and property,” he also said.

“I will let the law take its course in resolving the charges against her,” he added.

On Thursday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Adora Faye was arrested in Teacher’s Village, Quezon City, on Wednesday afternoon by virtue of an outstanding warrant of arrest issued against her by Judge Guilljie Delfin Lim of Iloilo City’s Regional Trial Court Branch 22.

“[Adora Faye] De Vera is the subject of a Warrant of Arrest without bail, issued by the Court for the crime of Multiple Murder and Multiple Frustrated Murder with the Use of Explosives, particularly anti-personnel landmines that are outlawed by international conventions on warfare,” the PNP chief said in a press briefing in Pampanga.

“She is also accused in a separate criminal case for the crime of rebellion,” he added.

READ: PNP chief Azurin says ranking CPP officer arrested in Quezon City

Citing police records, Azurin claimed Adora Faye is a staff officer of the General Command of the CPP, New People’s Army (NPA), and National Democratic Front, as well as the secretary of the Central Front of CPP-NPA Regional Committee-Panay.

NPA is the armed wing while the NDF is the political arm of the CPP.

KGA