President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in a proclamation, announced the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – New People’s Army (NPA) as a designated / identified terrorist organization under Republic Act No. 10168.

In RA No. 10168, otherwise known as “The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012,” terrorism has been recognized as inimical and dangerous to the country’s national security. Terrorism is, thus, condemned, including those who support and finance acts of terrorism.

The same Republic Act further criminalizes the financing of terrorism. In particular, it freezes and forfeits the property or funds of those designated terrorists or terrorist organizations. This is done in order to prevent and suppress terrorist activities.

Declaring the CPP-NPA as a designated /identified terrorist organization is nothing new.

“On August 9, 2002, the United States of America (USA) has designated the CPP-NPA as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and to date continues to include the CPP-NPA in its list of FTOs,” the Proclamation cited.

In this regard, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been directed to publish the designation/identification of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

Also, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, in a memorandum, directed Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, to immediately file the necessary application for the proscription or declaration of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization with the appropriate Regional Trial Court.

The DOJ, the same memo adds, may request the assistance of the Department of National Defense (DND), the Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other concerned agencies to execute the President’s directive.

The proscription of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization is pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9372, or the Human Security Act of 2007. ###PCO-Content