CHED chief distances self from sister’s arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman J. Prospero de Vera III has reiterated his support for the government’s anti-insurgency efforts following the arrest of his elder sister Adora Faye, whom the police accused of being a ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“I fully support the administration of President Marcos in its efforts to end the communist insurgency that has destroyed so many lives and property,” De Vera said in a statement following his sister’s arrest on Thursday.

“As a sibling, I hope and pray for her safety and good health in detention as she faces the cases filed against her,” he added.

De Vera said he has neither seen nor spoken to his sister for more than 25 years “since she decided to rejoin the underground movement.”

Adora Faye, 67, survived torture and rape during martial law.

De Vera maintained that he does not share her views and actions and that he would let the law take its course in resolving the charges against her.

On Thursday, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. announced the arrest of Adora Faye by operatives of the Western Visayas police in Barangay Teacher’s Village East.

Azurin, during a press conference at the Central Luzon police headquarters in Pampanga, said Adora Faye is wanted for multiple counts of murder and frustrated murder in connection with a November 2005 ambush in Calinog, Iloilo wherein nine Army Scout Rangers were killed and 20 others wounded with the use of an improvised explosive device.

“She is also accused in a separate criminal case for the crime of rebellion,” Azurin said.

Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 22 Judge Guilljie Lim, who issued the arrest warrant, refused to grant Adora Faye bail.

Adora Faye was brought to Iloilo and is detained at the Calinog police station. – Emmanuel Tupas and Jennifer Rendon