CIDG files terrorism financing case vs lawmaker’s aide, 2 others
MANILA, Philippines — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Aklan Provincial Field Unit (PFU) filed a case before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 against an alleged aide of a lawmaker and two others, including the officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) Coronacion Chiva ‘Waling-Waling’ Command in the Panay Region
The complaint names Benjie Tocol, Rosanna Inaudito (alias Ka Dayan/Ann-Ann), and Jose Edwin Guillen, the alleged NPA officer.
According to the complaint, Tocol was in a Toyota HiLux near the entrapment area where Brince Gegodas, a suspected NPA member, was arrested.
“A male person sitting on the front passenger seat asked permission if they can leave the area. [The police] requested for an identification card and asked him why they did not leave during the operation.
“The man handed his identification card and identified as Benjie Tocol and told SSG Ruzgal that he is the secretary of Congressman [Teodorico] Haresco,” read the complaint.
Meanwhile, Gegodas agreed to a plea bargaining deal and pled guilty to a lesser offense. He later surrendered his mobile phones, which led authorities to recover conversations between him and the respondents about collecting funds for the CPP-NPA’s use.
Article continues after this advertisement“Respondents have mutually conspired in making available property or funds to members of KR Panay of the NPA, a designated terrorist organization,” read the complaint.
Article continues after this advertisementThe office of Rep. Haresco has yet to comment on the matter.
READ: US donates ‘anti-terrorism’ equipment to PNP
