By CHITO CHAVEZ
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo has ordered the Philippine National Police to launch an extensive manhunt for convicted Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.
Año confirmed Sunday that the communist couple remained at large after being sentenced by a Quezon City court to reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years of imprisonment for kidnapping and illegal detention.
“They jumped bail and are presently at large. They abused the privilege given by PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Dutrete) to be released temporarily in order to serve as National Democratic Front (NDF) panel consultants during the peace negotiation with the condition that they will go back to jail once the negotiation is terminated,’’ Año said in an interview.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 216 on November 27 ruled that the couple guilty was found guilty of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.
Año insisted the CPP/NPA/NDF just used the peace talks “to deceive the government and extricate the Tiamzon couple to return to the underground movement and lead the armed struggle.’’
But Año vowed to “get them soon’’, stressing that the Tiamzon couple are still in the country.
“They will be detained in Camp Crame custodial center. Doon ilalagay ‘yung high profile or high risk personalities,” he added.
Año described as a “triumph of our justice system’’ the conviction of the Tiamzons.
The DILG chief recounted how he spent “half of my military life looking for them.’’
As a military captain and young intelligence officer, Año said he started the search for the Tiamzon couple.
“From time to time, I have to return to the field to command combat units and then return to intel duties. It was finally when I was already a Major General commanding ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) that I converged the effort of ISAFP and ISG PA where I personally led the capture of the couple in March 2014,’’ he added.
Año cited “everyone involved in this conviction specially to lead prosecutor Wennie Enad and Fiscals Heginio Yazar and Fabiano Siosana as well as Justice Angie Miranda of OSG (Office of the Solicitor General).’’
He lamented that the conviction of the Tiamzon couple should serve “as a lesson that crime does not pay.’’ (Chito A. Chavez)
