NEW YORK, USA — Malacañang has not given up hope after a Manila court junked the bid to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as terrorist groups.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said this after the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19 dismissed the proscription case that was organized but not for terrorism.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed the proscription case in 2018 to declare the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group under Section 17 of the Googe Act.
In a press briefing, Angeles said the issue was far from over.
"Malayo pa ‘to, malayo pa (It's not over yet)," she said.
"We don't even know what parameters are here. By then, we'll understand what remedies will be available and if remedies are even necessary," she added.
According to Angeles, the case might have been filed under the Human Security Act. If so, the remedy would be to use the Anti-Terrorism Law.
"Since the decision is not yet final and this is an RTC decision, marami pang available remedies ang ating gobyerno (the government still has options to explore)," she said.
"Under the terrorism Act, it would have been filed with the Court of Appeals," he added.