Viscom files complaint vs NGO for supporting Reds

CEBU CITY – The Visayas Command (Viscom), through the 302nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, is filing a complaint against a non-government organization for allegedly supporting the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG).

In a statement, Viscom said it will file charges against the Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET) for alleged violation of Republic Act 10168, also known as the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

Based in this city, CERNET is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-profit organization.

Viscom alleged that CERNET “has long been utilized by the country’s prime internal threat group, the CTG, on its fund generation scheme since 2001 basically to support its logistical and financial requirements.”

“Since the inception of the CTG, it is public knowledge that the terrorist group has been and continually wreaking havoc not only in Cebu and in the Visayas but in the entire country such as killings, ambuscades, extortions, foraging, deceptive recruitment, and organizing works victimizing the vulnerable sectors in the community to attain their objective that is to topple down our democratic government,” Viscom said.

Viscom described the CTG as the “most organized crime syndicate in our country” by getting their funds from NGOs aside “from the money collected from the extortion activities.”

“This terrorist group’s strategy has evolved. They used ‘development workers’ from the created NGOs as their cover to help marginalized sectors address their issues. NGOs then make project proposals addressed to various international foundations. Once approved, funds are then being transferred to the NGOs for distribution. Funds ranging from P50,000 to even millions of pesos are being processed in the name of helping the marginalized sectors,” Viscom said.

Instead of using the money to the intended beneficiary organizations, a substantial portion of the approved funds has been channeled directly to the CTG, Viscom said.

Viscom said case buildups showed that a significant portion of CERNET's fund was directed to the finance officer of the CTG.

“In fact, it has been disclosed that these war materials have been utilized for assaults on civilians and the destruction of heavy equipment in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, in 2013 – merely a year after the enactment of the Terrorism Financing and Suppression Act of 2012. This incident serves as an example of the numerous similar atrocities that occurred across the entire Visayas region, all employing the same operational approach by the implicated NGO and the CTG,” Viscom said.

“The results from our case buildups strongly suggest that there is clear evidence of terrorism financing linked to the Communist Terrorist Group and CERNET, with their staff being held responsible for the extensive destruction of lives and properties. This action is intended to aid in putting an end to the scourge of terrorism in our region and may mark the beginning of the pursuit of justice for all victims,” Viscom added.

Viscom said the filing of charges should serve as a stern warning to “those who aid, collaborate with, or conspire with this terror group.”