Alleged NPA leader, pal arrested; human rights group slam operation

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Juliane Judilla

An alleged ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army was arrested in a joint police and military operation in Pavia, Iloilo, on the morning of April 2.

Josephine Parra Porquia, 64, identified by authorities under the alias Dhaday or Gie, was arrested at about 9:15 a.m. at a residential house on Road 8, Don Julio Village, Barangay Aganan.

Authorities served a warrant of arrest for rebellion under Criminal Case No. 12-12530-06, issued June 28, 2012, by Regional Trial Court Branch 21 in Mambusao, Capiz. The warrant carried a recommended bail of PHP 40,000.

Porquia is listed as a resident of Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City, but was temporarily staying at the Pavia address.

Police said she is a Periodic Status Report-listed member of the NPA’s Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay and holds a ranking position in the organization.

During the operation, authorities said they also recovered materials for an improvised explosive device from the premises, which may constitute a separate violation of Republic Act 9516.

Her companion, Ma. Luisa Tagamolila Guillen, 62, also known as alias Luing, was also arrested after she allegedly physically interfered with the police operation. She was charged with obstruction of justice.

Guillen is a resident of Barangay 5, Poblacion, Igbaras, Iloilo, but was likewise temporarily staying at the Don Julio Village address. She was released on April 3 after prosecutors dismissed the charge against her.

Police said Guillen also holds a post in the CPP-NPA organization.

The operation was led by the Pavia Municipal Police Station tracker team with support from the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, the 62nd Special Action Company and 6th Special Action Battalion of the PNP Special Action Force, the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade, and the Passi City Police Station.

Brig. Gen. Josefino D. Ligan, Police Regional Office 6 director, said the arrests reflected the authorities’ continuing campaign against threats to peace and security in Western Visayas.

“The arrest of these individuals demonstrates our unwavering commitment to neutralizing threats to peace and security in Western Visayas,” Ligan said.

“We commend our law enforcement units and the Philippine Army for their cooperation and vigilance in ensuring that those who seek to disrupt public safety are held accountable under the law,” he added.

Ligan urged communities to stay vigilant and cooperate with authorities to ensure lasting peace and public safety.

Human rights group Panay Alliance Karapatan, however, disputed the police account and condemned the arrests as arbitrary, saying the two women are development workers, not armed rebels.

The group said the 2012 warrant did not name Porquia or Guillen but instead referred to other individuals, some identified only by aliases.

Karapatan called for their immediate release and the dismissal of what it described as fabricated charges, saying the timing of the arrests during Holy Week appeared calculated to delay legal processes.

“Their arrest during Holy Week also appears calculated to delay legal processes, effectively ensuring their continued detention until the observance has ended,” the group said.

Porquia has firmly denied the allegation that she possessed explosive materials.

Karapatan said the arrests reflect a broader pattern of filing fabricated charges against activists and development workers, particularly during long holidays when access to legal remedies may be delayed. It added that the use of illegal possession of explosives as a non-bailable charge has become a recurring tactic in cases involving political prisoners in Panay.

The group identified Porquia as a longtime advocate for overseas Filipino workers and former coordinator of Migrante. Guillen is a women’s rights advocate affiliated with Gabriela and the mother of lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen, who survived a stabbing attack in 2021.

Porquia is the widow of slain Bayan Muna coordinator Jose Reynaldo “Jory” Porquia, who was killed in Iloilo City in 2020 while conducting relief operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case remains unresolved.

As of the latest update, Porquia remains detained at the Pavia Municipal Police Station following inquest proceedings for an additional charge of illegal possession of explosives.