Tiamzons’ pets turned over to IRO’s custody

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command turned over yesterday the custody of Ben, Joma, and Wilma, the pets of the arrested Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army’s officials, to the Island Rescue Organization, as the most capable agency to handle the animals.

Lieutenant Jim Alagao, Centcom spokesperson, said they could take care of the animals but the IRO is the most capable agency to take care of  the pets of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.

Lawyer Nena Hernandez, executive director and founder of IRO, said that both dogs and the cat will temporarily be under their custody until further instruction is given.

“These animals are their (Tiamzons) properties and they are not contrabands,” Hernandez said, adding that they are willing to present the pets to the court if in case there is a need for them to do so.

Tiamzons’ pets will not be allowed to be adopted unless Wilma Tiamzon will release ownership to adopt her animals.

Hernandez said that the two puppies and a cat turned over by the AFP are healthy and well taken care of because they did not see any sign of animal trauma.

“Most of the animals traumatized would pee, shake or be in a corner and bite whenever they are touched,” Hernandez said in a press conference.

Hernandez admitted she was informed Tuesday about the animals which prompted her to check the other animals at the safe house in Barangay Sangat, San Fernando before she met with the AFP Wednesday.

She added that two other dogs and two cats at the safe house of the Tiamzons were fed by a neighbor by passing leftovers through the perimeter fence of the house.

“I went there and I tried to check on the conditions of the animals remained at the place and they have been guarding the house, even the smaller ones, but we will try to ask permission if we could also take care those animals,” Hernandez said.

The lawyer explained that dogs deal with the change in environment and territory like humans that is why they have to tame them.

Hernandez further said that she has been in contact with the lawyer of the Tiamzons for possible assistance but as of now the IRO plans not to spoil the animals in terms of the kind of food to be given.

“In terms of food it would be nice if they send us assistance but as of now animals have to learn that we control the food,” she said.

The IRO will also be requesting for the documents of the animals to check on their vaccination like anti-rabies and among others.

The pets were seized from Wilma, Communist Party of the Philippines- New People’s Army’s secretary general, and her husband Benito, CPA chairman, when they were arrested in Carcar City by virtue of a warrant of arrest in a checkpoint operation while on board Starex and Toyota vehicles last weekend.

Both vehicles are now in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detective Group-7.

As of this time, authorities could not yet determine the length of  time on the stay of the Tiamzons in Cebu and their itineraries. —/ATO(FREEMAN)