The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the intensified manhunt operation for former National Democratic Front (NDF) consultants and alleged Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leaders Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria.
“They cannot run and hide forever. Sooner or later, matitimbog din sila ulit at haharapin ang mga kasalanan nila sa ating bayan (they will be captured and will face their offenses to the country). I am confident that we will see them behind bars soon,” DILG Chief Eduardo Aῆo said.
The Tiamzon couple was convicted last week of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and were sentenced to 40 years of imprisonment. The case stemmed from the abduction of Army Officer Lt. Abraham Claro Casis and other solders on June 1, 1988 in Quezon Province.
Aῆo was the chief of Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) when the Tiamzons were arrested on March 2014.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Debold Sinas has likewise directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and several police units to coordinate with the AFP on the capture of the Tiamzons.
Although their whereabouts remain unknown, intelligence report shows that they are still in the country.
“We are hoping makipag-ugnayan sila sa amin kung gusto nilang sumuko (We are hoping for their coordination if they want to give themselves in). We are willing to facilitate their surrender and bring them to the appropriate court and jail to serve their sentence,” Sinas stated. – Report from Bea Bernardo
