Quezon board member faces "obstruction of justice" raps

by Raadee Sausa January 11, 2021 Board Member Rhodora "Dhoray" Tan (Pho...

by Raadee Sausa
January 11, 2021

Board Member Rhodora "Dhoray" Tan (Photo from her Facebook Account)

LUCENA CITY - A provincial board member has been charged with violations of Presidential Decree (PD)1829 otherwise known as Obstruction of justice for allegedly coddling two suspected top members of the New People's Army (NPA).

Board Member Rhodora "Dhoray" Tan who owns the house where the suspected rebels were arrested by police and military operatives on December 26 was charged before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office despite her denial.



Besides being suspected communist terrorists, those arrested are also wanted over kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms and have standing warants of arrest.

Brig. Gen. Felipe Natividad identified them as Ruel Custodio @Baste, 34, of Calamba City, Laguna, finance officer of Sub-Regional Military Area (SRMA)4-B of the Southern Tagalog Regional Party Committee (STRPC) and Ruben Istokado @Oyo/Miles, 38, of Brgy. Paradijon Gubat, Sorsogon, political instructor of L1, KP1, Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC).



Natividad said Custodio and Istokado were collared inside Tan's home at barangay zone 3 Poblacion in Atimonan, Quezon by joint elements of Regional Intelligence Division (RID4A), Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4A(RMFB4A), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG4A), Quezon Police Provincial Office, Atimonan Municipal Police Station, 2nd Military Intelligence Brigade, 85th and 59th Infantry Battalions and 201st Infantry Brigade.

Seized from the duo were two hand grenades, a Bersa Cal .380 with one magazine containing 13 live ammunitions, a Cal .45 pistol with one magazine containing six live cartridges, and a Jericho Cal. 9MM pistol with two magazines containing live ammunition.



Tan's coordinator Noel Ricafort and caretaker Juanito Guan were also around during the raid.

In a press statement, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año has directed the filing of charges against Tan.

Año said the local legislator should be held criminally and administratively liable for coddling in her own residence the wanted rebels.

"Paano maipapaliwanag na sa bahay niya mismo nasakote ang mga NPA? Hindi tama na kanlungin at proteksyunan ang mga kaaway ng bayan na matagal nang nagpapahirap sa mga mamamayan. Mas mabigat ang asunto dito kapag ikaw ay isang public official," he said.

The DILG secretary expressed disbelief that a public official whose sworn duty is to promote and protect the interest and welfare of the public provided shelter and refuge to known enemies of the people.

"Imbis na kayo ang manguna sa pagsuplong sa mga teroristang ito, kayo pa mismo ang kumakanlong sa kanila. Nasaan ba talaga ang loyalty ninyo -- para sa bayan at sa demokrasya o para sa mga terorista at komunismo?," Año said.

According to the DILG Chief, Tan could face up to six years in jail if found guilty of obstruction of justice under PD 1829.

"Puwede rin siyang kasuhan as an accomplice or accessory to the crimes committed by the NPA members kapag napatunayan na involved siya or may effort on her part to protect them," Año said.

Moreover, Año said Tan will also be facing administrative liabilities for disloyalty to the Republic under Civil Service Commission Rules and Administrative Order (AO) 23, series of 1992. "Under the said AO, Tan can either be removed or suspended from office when found guilty,” he said.

Similarly, under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, civil servants are expected to "at all times be loyal to the Republic and to the Filipino people" and "uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party."

Año said that while the number of local government units declaring the Communist Party of the Philippines- New People's Army as persona non grata are increasing, it is disappointing to encounter a handful of public officials who covertly support, directly or indirectly, the cause of communist terrorist groups.

"Doble kara ang ilan sa ating mga local officials. Huwag kayong magkubli sa posisyon ninyo sa gobyerno dahil ang tunay na kulay ninyo pala ay pula. Wala kayong karapatang manatili sa pamahalaan," he added.