The Armed Forces of the Philippines debunked claims that is has recovered P1.5 million from the arrested rebel couple, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, and dismissed the allegation as a “diversionary tactic”.

This is a diversionary tactic of the couple to escape accountability for the crimes they have committed against so many civilians, the AFP, said in a statement it issued.

The Tiamzon couple and five others were arrested on March 22 by government agents in Carcar, Cebu.

The statement also said that as a matter of fact, the recovered money that totaled only P23,545.35, and all items that included personal belongings and laptops were issued inventory receipts signed by Nona Castillo and Rex Villaflor; two of the five also were arrested with the Tiamzons.

“It is ironic that they are mentioning this huge amount of money at their disposal while their fighters have a meager ‘supamil' (support to families) of P800 to 1,500 per month. This is indeed an eye-opener for the NPA to lay down their arms, and once again return to living normal lives,” Major General John Bonafos, AFP Central Command chief, said.

For the AFP, the capture and accountability of the Tiamzons for their crimes has a higher value than any amount of money, the statement added.

“We carefully and faithfully followed the rule of law and the necessary procedures because we want the arrest of these top NPA leaders to be a milestone in our thrust to neutralize the NPA leadership,” it also said.*GPB

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