MANILA – The Anti-Terrorism Council has designated as terrorists six high-ranking communist leaders, including National Democratic Front’s Luis G. Jalandoni, and five figureheads of Abu Sayyaf Group, and Daulah Islamiyah after careful verification and validation.
The ATC, in a press statement Wednesday, said the two separate resolutions signed by ATC vice-chairperson Hermogenes Esperon, Jr on May 25, 2022, are in accordance with Section 25’s Paragraph 3 of RA 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 which states “the ATC may designate an individual, group of persons, organization, or association, whether domestic or foreign, upon a finding of probable cause that the individual, groups of persons, organization, or association, whether domestic or foreign, upon a finding of probable cause that the individual, group of persons, organization, or association commit, or attempt to commit or conspire in the commission of the acts defined and penalized under Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12”.
ATC Resolution No. 31 designated six leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDFP) as terrorist individuals, namely:
1. Luis Jalandoni a.k.a. Louie/Ka Rosendo/Bernie/Lopez/Bern/Munding/Cinco/ Fernando/Andres, member of the CPP Central Committee, member of the NDF/NDFP, and founder of the designated terrorist organization Christians for National Liberation;
2. Simon Naugsan, a.k.a. Filiw/Wayat/Bernie/Nasser/Yasser/ Arop, spokesperson of designated terrorist organization Cordillera People’s Democratic Front and member of the CPP-NPA;
3. Afrecia/Apricia Alvares/Alvarez Rosete a.k.a. Bambam/Bambi/Jamjam/Isay/ Tengteng/Lalay/Laly/Ilay/Maymay/Lily/Lali/Danielle/Aurora Cahayon, secretary of the CPP-NPA’S Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee;
4. Maria Luisa Purcray a.k.a. Byul/Nanul/Meriam/Awri/Miriam/Monica/Viol/Rodora Guevarra/Lerma/Maou/Melba, secretary of the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA;
5. Maria Gigi Ascaño-Tenebroso a.k.a. Gigi/Jiji, member of the designated terrorist organization Katipunan ng Gurong Makabayan and finance officer of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA; and member of the CPP-NPA; and
6. Walter Alipio de Asis Cerbito a.k.a. Wati, member of the designated terrorist organization Christians for National Liberation.
Verified and validated
“ATC Resolution No. 31 cites that based on verifIed and validated information obtained and consolidated by the National Intelligence Committee which was submitted to the ATC, there is a finding of probable cause, warranting the designation of specific persons for violations of Sections 4, 6, 7, 10 and 12 of the ATA, for committing, conspiring, planning, preparing for the commission of terrorism and recruitment to and membership in, and providing material support to terrorist organizations or groups organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism,” ATC said on the latest designation of additional 6 communist members,
Meanwhile, ATC Resolution No. 32 also designated as terrorists the following five members of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Daulah Islamiyah (DI) as specific terrorist individuals:
1. Basaron Arok/Basarun Aruk a.k.a. Abdulbasser/Abdulkadil/Arkam/Bas/Bossing, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI;
2. Ellam Sajirin/Ellam Nasirin/Ellam Nasarin/Illam Nasirin a.k.a. Ellam/Illam, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI;
3. Madjid Said/Majid Said a.k.a. Amah Pattit/Padin Padul/Pading/Amah Sah, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI;
4. Mura Asgali Kayawan a.k.a. Salip Mura Asgali/Salip Mura/Salip Murah/Maas, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI; and
5. Tawakkal Bayali/Tawakal Bayali/Tawakkal Abugaw Bayali/Tawwakal Bayali a.k.a. Abu Tawakkal/Jaber, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI.
“Probable cause in designation refers to a reasonable ground of suspicion supported by circumstances warranting a cautious person to believe a proposed designation meets the requirements of designation,” the statement read.
Freeze assets
Owing to this designation, the ATC said financial assets and properties of designated individuals, groups of persons, organizations, or associations are subject to the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to investigate and freeze.
This, STC said, is pursuant to Section 11 of RA 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (TFPSA) and Section 25 of the ATA. This authority of the AMLC under RA 10168 has been applied against various CTG organizations, namely, the CPP-NPA by virtue of ATC Resolution No. 12 dated December 9, 2020; the NDF/NDFP by virtue of ATC Resolution 21 dated June 23, 2021; and CPP- NPA-NDF/NDFP Underground Organizations by virtue of ATC Resolution No. 28 dated January 26, 2022.
“The AMLC has also issued Sanctions Freeze Order against the assets of the DI as a consequence of its designation by the ATC together with other violent extremist organizations by virtue of ATC Resolution No. 13 dated December 9, 2020, the statement added.
Aside from ATA and TFPSA, the ATC said the designation is necessary to sustain the legal efforts against the continuing threat of terrorism in the country.
“Without doubt, the designation, in coordination with the AMLC, serves as an effective tool to deny terrorists from obtaining financial and material support for their terrorist activities. It is also part of the legal means as an important component of the country’s comprehensive approach in counterterrorism,” the anti-terrorism body added.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The NDF was formally designated as a terrorist organization by the ATC on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)
