DOJ: 2 alleged NPA rebels convicted on illegal firearms raps

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday announced that an Oriental Mindoro court has convicted two alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) over illegal firearms.

In separate two-page orders shared by the department, the Roxas Regional Trial Court-Branch 43 found Arnulfo Aumentado and Mary Joyce Lizada guilty for the unauthorized issuance of authority to carry firearms and/or ammunition outside of residence, as well as the illegal transfer/registration of firearms.

Both were sentenced one year for each crime. 

"The period within which they are detained shall be credited in full should they abide by and follow the rules and regulations of the institution where they are continuously detained," the court said.

Both initially pleaded not guilty to charges of Illegal Possession of Improvised Explosive Devices and class-A light weapons, the DOJ said.

However, they later entered into a plea-bargaining agreement.

According to the DOJ, authorities arrested Aumentado and Lizada at Barangay Santa Teresita, Mansalay in Oriental Mindoro in April 2023.

The DOJ said a carbine rifle, a chamber-loaded Intratec submachine gun, an improvised hand grenade, and two pieces of blasting caps were recovered from the two individuals.

"Terrorism must have no place in society, especially under the present administration's rule where peace and unity reigns supreme over violence or hatred," Remulla said in a statement.

"As highlighted by President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2024 that extermination was never part of the administration's drug war, it is but also fair to extend the same policy in the government's battle against terrorism where justice rules above meaningless fighting," he added.

In a 2023 statement, the Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (iPMSDL) said the Aumentado and Lizada were organizers from the Bond and Strength of Indigenous Peoples in Southern Tagalog.

It said that days after the two went missing, they were presented by the military as captured rebel fighters.

"We express grave concerns over the series of arrests and terrorist-tagging of Indigenous Peoples and advocates who chose to serve the marginalized. We call for the full respect of their rights including the strict observance of their right to due processes," the group said, as it called on the government to release Lizada and Aumentado.

In a proclamation in December 2017, then-President Rodrigo Duterte declared the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization. The order was released after Duterte terminated peace talks with the communist group.

Following this, the DOJ asked a Manila court to legally declare the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

However, the Manila court dismissed the case in September 2022, saying the CPP-NPA is not organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has granted amnesty to former rebels of the CPP-NPA. — VDV, GMA Integrated News