THE Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated 16 underground organizations under the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front of the Philippines as terrorist organizations.
The classification of the organizations was made through a resolution that was approved by the ATC alast January 26. A copy of the resolution was posted on the ATC website on Tuesday.
The 16 are the Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU); Katipunan ng mga Samahang Manggagawa (KASAMA) or Federation of Labor Organizations; Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid (PKM) or National Association of Peasants; Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) or Patriotic Movement of New Women; Kabataang Makabayan (KM) or Patriotic Youth;
Katipunan ng Gurong Makabayan (KAGUMA) or Association of Patriotic Teachers; Makabayang Samahang Pangkalusugan (MASAPA) or Patriotic Health Association; Liga ng Agham para sa Bayan (LAB) or League of Scientists for the People; Lupon ng mga Manananggol para sa Bayan (LUMABAN) or Committee of Lawyers for the People; Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan (ARMAS) or Artists and Writers for the People;
Makabayang Kawaning Pilipino (MKP) or Patriotic Government Employees, Revolutionary Organization of Overseas Filipinos and their Families (COMPATRIOTS); Christians for National Liberation (CNL); Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF); Moro Resistance Liberation Organization (MRLO); and the Rebolusyonaryong Organisasyong Lumad (ROL) or Revolutionary Organization of Lumads.
In its resolution, the ATC said the 16 are “underground organizations” of the communist movement that are “necessary and indispensable in the spotting, developing, recruitment, and dispatch of cadres, given that membership in an underground organization is a requirement prior to becoming a cadre of the CPP-NPA.”
It also noted the 16 were mentioned by communist party founder Jose Ma. Sison as “allied organizations” of the NDFP in a keynote speech during the celebration of the NDFP’s 48th foundation anniversary last April.
In a statement yesterday, the CPP lashed out at the ATC for the designation of the 16 organizations as terrorist groups.
It said the designation was “arbitrary and baseless,” adding the 16 organizations are “patriotic and democratic and have long been fighting for the rights and interests of their represented sectors.”
“Many of these groups are among those which persisted in the difficult struggles during the dark period of martial law,” the CPP said. “By remaining underground, these organizations have successfully avoided the acts of suppression of the reactionary state. Their members, numbering in the tens of thousands, are incognito and unidentifiable.”
The CPP claimed the designation was “part of the heightening campaign of suppression of the US-Duterte regime against the broad democratic forces, reinforces its reign of state terror.”
“By aiming to terrorize the people, the declaration is part of preparations to steal the upcoming May presidential elections to ensure the victory of the Marcos-Duterte candidates,” it added.
The CPP and the NPA were designated by the ATC as terrorist organizations in December 2020. Last June, the council also declared the NDFP as a terrorist organization.
In April 2021, the ATC designated Sison, his wife Julieta, who are both based in Netherlands, and 17 other communist leaders as terrorists.
The ATC also said the 16 organizations were listed by the NDFP in its website as “NDFP member organizations.”
The ATC said it found “probable cause” to warrant the designation of the 16 organizations as terrorist organizations, citing the “verified and validated information, as well as testimonial and documentary evidence” it has gathered.
The council said it declared the 16 organizations as terrorist organizations “for committing, or attempting to commit, or conspiring in the commission of the acts defined and penalized under Section 7 (conspiracy to commit terrorism), 10 (recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization), and 12 (providing material support to terrorists) of the ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act.”
