By Regina Elaine Vendivil

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has tagged 19 alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) as ‘terrorists’ under Resolution No. 17, 13th of May, Thursday.

Furthermore, in a separate Resolution No.16, ten other members of different “local terrorist groups” including Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were also tagged as ‘terrorists’.

With the absence of evidence for the said designation, the ATC claimed that it found “probable cause” that the listed members of the CPP-NPA have violated Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) for “planning, preparing, facilitating, conspiring, and inciting the commission of terrorism and recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization or a group organized for the purpose of terrorism.”

In an ATC resolution dated April 21, the 19 involved individuals were supposedly said to be leading and commanding the NPA as they were described as “central committee members” of the CPP-NPA or the highest decision- and policy-making body of the CPP. 

Meanwhile, the 10 tagged ASG bandits, who are now in different groups, have also violated Sections 6-10 of the ATA for being involved in the “conspiring, planning, and preparing for the commission of terrorism”. 

The Abu Sayyaf Group was previously designated as a ‘terrorist group’ by the United Nations Secretary Council and was proscribed under the old Human Secretary Act last September 2015. 

Under the ATA’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, the listed individuals were given 15 days to file a verified request for delisting from the Anti-Terrorism Council. 

Sources:
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/13/21/anti-terrorism-council-cpp-npa-terror-list-terroristshttps://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1431180/anti-terror-council-tags-29-cpp-abu-sayyaf-members-as-terrorists