MANILA – The Anti-Terrorism Council's (ATC) move to redesignate the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as a terror group is a big boost to curb insurgency, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said Thursday.
In a statement, NTF-ELCAC executive director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said this is “significant” in the campaign to eliminate all remaining 11 weakened NPA guerilla fronts this year to achieve total victory against the communist movement.
Torres also noted that the ATC conducted a thorough analysis of the data and reaffirmed the CPP-NPA's status as a terrorist organization.
"The CPP-NPA's continued classification is justified by its flagrant violations of Section 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which includes acts of terrorism against government forces and instilling fear among the general population. The CPP-NPA's involvement in numerous crimes resulting in fatalities and widespread disruption underscore the significance of this classification," he explained.
According to the 2023 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), the NPA is ranked 15th among the 20 Deadliest Terror Groups of 2022, underscoring the severe threat posed by the CPP-NPA's terrorist activities.
Torres said the redesignation marks a critical step in the collective efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
He also affirmed the NTF-ELCAC's support for the ATC in addressing the challenges posed by terrorist organizations like the CPP-NPA.
"We also welcome ATC Resolution Number 53, which identifies Elizabeth Pineda Principe, known by various aliases, as a terrorist individual," Torres said.
He also added that the resolution "meticulously outlines the reasons" for designating Principe as a terrorist individual.
"It details her involvement in armed encounters, recruitment efforts, and planning sessions aimed at escalating and perpetuating terrorist activities. Principe's role as a high-ranking leader and Central Committee member of the CPP-NPA, as stated in the resolution, strengthens the ATC's decision," Torres said.
He added the designation highlights the severity of Principe's involvement in terrorist activities, as evidenced by her direct participation in armed encounters, sabotage incidents, and recruitment efforts for the CPP-NPA.
Torres stressed that the ATC's thorough examination of evidence gathered by Philippine law enforcement agencies and the military has revealed probable cause for Principe's involvement in terrorist planning, facilitation, and execution. (PNA)
