Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año lauded the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) on Thursday, July 22, for declaring the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) as a terrorist organization.
The designation of the NDF as a terror group put the organization in the list with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed component, the New People’s Army (NPA)’’ which were named as such last year.
The ATC stated that the NDF is an integral part of the CPP-NPA.
"As a key member of the NTF-ELCAC, the DILG commits to continue to play an active role in this effort with the support of our attached agencies, LGUs, and the entire Filipino people,’’ Año said.
In ATC Resolution no. 21, Año explained the Council found compelling and sufficient evidence to designate the NDFP as a terrorist organization for violating the provisions of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020, specifically: conspiracy to commit terrorism, recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists.
“For the longest time, past administrations and even government agencies had been made to believe the false narrative of the enemies of the state that the NDF is a separate entity from the CPP-NPA that can represent and influence them to follow the path towards peace. With ATC’s designation of NDF as a terrorist organization, the lies and deceit of the NDF have come to light,’’ said Año.
Año noted that the NDFP has long been posturing as a legal, above ground organization that had engaged with the government during peace talks.
"But it discreetly colluding with the CPP-NPA and other underground mass organizations to sabotage the peace talks from within, plotting to overthrow the Philippine government, and supporting the CPP-NPA’s failed “people’s democratic revolution," said Año.
“The issuance of ATC resolution No. 21 means that the masquerade is over. With the designation and the subsequent freeze order against their properties, funds, and other accounts by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), they will now be deprived of financial and logistical support and resources that they can use to finance terrorism, recruit and consolidate their ranks, and launch attacks against the government. Support and financial assistance from institutions and even foreign governments whom they have been duping for many years will also be severed as said groups may now be prosecuted under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 for supporting a terrorist organization,’’ he added. (Chito A. Chavez)