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The Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Monday that it will continue with the ban petition that it presented two years ago before the Regional Court of First Instance of the city of Manila that seeks to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing. like the New People’s Army. (NPA) or Bagong Hukbong Bayan as terrorist groups.
Under Secretary of Justice Adrian Sugay said the purpose of the ban petition is different from the designation of the CPP-NPA’s Anti-Terrorism Council as a terrorist group.
“The ban request will proceed. The designation is primarily for the purposes of the AMLC. [Anti-Money Laundering Council] exercising its authority to freeze assets or funds, ”explained Sugay. The statute of limitations petition has been pending before the Manila RTC since February 2018.
The Department of Justice filed the ban petition through Chief Deputy State Attorney Peter Ong pursuant to Section 17 of Republic Law 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007.
If granted, this will allow the government to request authorization from the Court of Appeals (CA) to engage in wiretapping activities against communists, as well as request an order freezing and examining the bank accounts and assets of their leaders. and identified members.
In seeking to declare communist groups terrorists, the Justice Department highlighted the atrocities the groups committed over the years.
The DOJ insisted that the groups organized for the purpose of participating in terrorist activities and, in fact, have been committing acts that fall under RA 9372.
To outlaw is to outlaw. Members of the outlaw group can be held liable for the violation of the ATA. [Anti-Terrorism Act]”Sugay said.
In a separate interview on ANC News Channel, Sugay stressed that designating the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group would not automatically lead to arrests.
“There will be no arrests or detentions in the next few days. This is really more to pursue the funds or assets of the designated person or organization, ”Sugay said.
