The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has named 16 underground organizations linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorist groups.
In Resolution No. 288 (2022) dated January 26 and signed by ATC vice chairperson and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the ATC found probable cause to designate the following organizations as “terrorist groups of persons, organizations or associations” based on verified and validation information, as well as testimonial and documentary evidence.
The list includes: Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU); Katipunan ng mga Samahang Manggagawa/Federation of Labor Organizations (KASAMA); Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid/National Association of Peasants (PKM); Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan/Patriotic Movement of New Women (MAKIBAKA); Kabataang Makabayan/Patriotic Youth (KM); Katipunan ng Gurong Makabayan/Association of Patriotic Teachers (KAGUMA); Makabayang Samahang Pangkalusugan/Patriotic Health Association (MASAPA); Liga ng Agham Para sa Bayan/League of Scientists for the People (LAB); Lupon ng mga Manananggol para sa Bayan/Committee of Lawyers for the People (LUMABAN); Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan/Artists and Writers for the People (ARMAS); Makabayang Kawaning Pilipino/Patriotic Government Employees (MKP); Revolutionary Organization of Overseas Filipinos and their Families (COMPATRIOTS); Christians for National Liberation (CNL); Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF); Moro Resistance Liberation Organization (MRLO); and Rebolusyonaryong Organisasyong Lumad/Revolutionary Organization of Lumads (ROL).
The resolution said the designation is aimed at eliminating, preventing, and suppressing the financing of terrorist acts, support and recruitment of members, and the supply of weapons to terrorists.
The groups had been identified by the official website of the National Democratic Front (NDF) which enumerated these underground organizations as its “member organizations.
The resolution also said CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, in his keynote speech for the NDF’s 48th anniversary in April 2021, identified these underground organizations, along with the CPP-NPA, as allied organizations of the NDF.
Esperon further maintained that the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) has funded and supported anti-government activities such as alternative schools reportedly indoctrinating innocent youth.
Esperon has filed perjury cases against Karapatan, Gabriela, and RMP for asserting false facts on alleged red tagging and military operations against communist groups.
The official disclosed that based on the recently gathered intelligence reports that the CPP-NPA-affiliated Mass Organizations (CAMO) have been funneling donations, both foreign and locally sourced, to alternative learning institutions which purpose is to indoctrinate the youth.
According to Esperon around 77 training centers or alternative learning centers are unlawfully and illegally operating within the ancestral domains of the Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao. He mentioned, Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugan Community Learning Center Inc.; Fr. Faustu Tentorio Memorial School Inc.; Mindanao Interfaith Services; and the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development Inc..
Reports also said that the RMP has a questionable P14.7 million in bank deposits which was already ordered to freeze by the Anti-Money Laundering Council of the Philippines.
Similarly, Esperon showed evidence, a certification issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) dated April 15, 2019, attesting that RMP’s Certificate of Registration has already been revoked as early as August 2003 for its failure to submit the required general information sheets and financial statements from 1997 to 2002. With Maricel V. Cruz