MANILA, Philippines — The wife of National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Vicente Ladlad may face charges of obstruction of justice, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.
Ladlad’s wife, Fides Lim, tried to block a police car transporting the communist leader to Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig shortly after he was arrested in Quezon City for illegal possession of firearms last week.
Lim claimed that the firearms found in Ladlad’s possession were planted by the police.
She challenged the PNP to test the guns for fingerprints to prove that these were planted.
In a Facebook post, Lim asked for forgiveness from PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde for her action.
“I hope Gen. Albayalde will find it in his heart to forgive me when his wife, Mrs. Albayalde, will also obstruct justice for him,” she said.
Albayalde said he accepted Lim’s apology.
“I understand her concern for her husband. But she should be held responsible for violating the law,” Albayalde said. “We are a nation of laws, not of men and violation of laws has its consequences.”
The PNP chief maintained that there was nothing irregular in Ladlad’s arrest as authorities followed the proper procedures.
“The confiscation of high-powered firearms and explosives from Ladlad and two other suspects was a result of a lawful search made by police and witnessed by officials of the homeowners’ association,” Albayalde said.
Police said they recovered an AK-47 with bayonet, an M16-A1 assault rifle, two .45-caliber handguns, a 9mm pistol, loaded magazines and four grenades from Ladlad and the other suspects.