The Department of Justice Task Force on Counter-Terrorism I (DOJ-TFCT 1) scored another victory against two members of the Communist Party of Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
This as the Roxas, Mindoro Oriental Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 43, in a decision promulgated on July 9, 2024, found Arnulfo Aumentado y Torres aka Aryo/Inod and Mary Joyce Lizada y Tapawan aka Louise guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Unauthorized Issuance of Authority to Carry Firearm and Ammunition Outside of Residence and Illegal Transfer/Registration of Firearms.
The Court sentenced both Aumentado and Lizada one year imprisonment 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,” said the Court.
Court records show that on 26 April 2023, members of the Philippine Army apprehended at Barangay Santa Teresita, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro Aumentado and Lizada.
Authorities recovered from both accused one carbine rifle, a chamber-loaded Intratec submachine gun, one improvised hand grenade and two pieces of blasting caps.
Initially, both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges of Illegal Possession of Improvised Explosive Devices and class-A light weapons, penalized under Section 3 of PD 1866, as amended by RA 9516 and Section 28(c), in relation to Section 3(t) and 28(e)(1), of RA 10591.
However, with the guidance of their legal counsel, both accused eventually entered into a plea-bargain agreement with the prosecution.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Boying Remulla hailed the DOJ TFCT led by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor (SDSP) Peter L. Ong and team: Asst. State Prosecutor (ASP) Jenny A. De Castro, Prosecution Attorneys (PAs) Ruth Anne P. Zamora, Lyra Carissa M. Profugo, Roy C. De Vesa and Michael Elvin T. Tan for their unwavering efforts in prosecuting the case which led to the successful conviction of the accused.
"Terrorism must have no place in society, especially under the present administration's rule where peace and unity reigns supreme over violence or hatred. 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," the Secretary stressed.