ATC redesignates CPP-NPA as terror group

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has maintained the designation of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) as a terrorist organization, the Presidential Communications Office said Sunday.

Based on ATC Resolution No. 53, the PCO said that the terrorist designations of the Islamic State East Asia (ISEA) and other Daesh-linked or associated groups in the Philippines were also maintained.

The CPP-NPA or the “Bagong Hukbong Bayan” was redesignated by the ATC as a terror group “as they continue to target government forces and sow terror and fear among the public,” citing over 200 atrocities recorded from December 2020 to August 2023.

Among the alleged atrocities were the killing of football player Kieth Absalon—who died when an improvised explosive device exploded in Masbate City in 2021—and the attacks on the city that forced the suspension of classes in four municipalities.

The ATC also cited the 54 cases for violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suspension Act of 2012 and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and 478 pending court cases, based on data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) as of December 31, 2023.

As to the redesignation of ISEA and other Daesh-linked or associated groups in the country such as the Abu Sayyaf, Maute, Maguid, Turaifie, Hassan and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the ATC cited their “continued involvement in terrorist activities” in violation of the ATA.

The ATC said the ISEA and other Daesh-linked groups specifically violated several sections of the ATA.

Meanwhile, the council also named Elizabeth Pineda Principe—a National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant—as a terrorist.

The ATC claimed it found probable cause to designate Principe as a terrorist individual “based on verified and validated information, sworn statements and pieces of evidence gathered by different Philippine law enforcement agencies and the military.”

The council said Principe—who is known in various aliases—was tagged as a terrorist for allegedly violating Republic Act 11479 or “The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.”

In particular, the ATC claims the peace consultant violated ATA for committing terrorism; for planning, training, preparing, and facilitating the commission of terrorism; and for recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization or groups organized for engaging in terrorism.—RF, GMA Integrated News