DOJ says there's probable cause to charge Tiamzons

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said there is probable cause to charge alleged Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The DOJ made the announcement after the inquest proceedings of the Tiamzon couple, who were arrested last Saturday in Cebu.

The charges were filed against the couple by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

The police said that its operatives seized three pistols, two hand grenades and a revolver from the couple's vehicle at the time of their arrest. Their companions were also caught carrying unregistered firearms.

The Tiamzons' camp claimed that the firearms supposedly seized from them were planted by the policemen. They claimed that they were only carrying cats and puppies.

Read: AFP denies Tiamzon couple carried only 'cats, puppies'

The Tiamzons were arrested by virtue of warrants of arrest for their alleged involvement in the mass killing of 15 civilians, whose remains were discovered in a shallow grave in in Inopacan, Leyte in 2006.

The Tiamzons had questioned the legal basis for their arrest, saying they are covered by immunity as part of the peace negotiations between the communist group and the government.

Read: De Lima: Tiamzons' arrest not covered by immunity

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, said that the government has increased the bounty for the Tiamzons from P5.6 million to P10 million.

"The reward for Benito and Wilma Tiamzon was upgraded to P10 million each since November 2012 ... This is because of their position as they are the chair and secretary general of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, respectively," AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said Wednesday.