AMLAC orders freeze on all CPP ‘UGOs’ assets

THE Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLAC) has directed all banks, financial institutions “and all related government agencies” to immediately sanction/freeze the known financial assets and properties of 16 ‘underground organizations’ (UGOs) that have been earlier identified by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) as “terrorist groups” directly under the Communist Party of the Philippines thru its ‘umbrella organization,’ the National Democratic Front of the Philippines  and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (CPP-NPA-NDF).

In a public announcement last February 22, 2022, AMLC Secretariat executive director, Mel Georgie Racela, said AMLAC’s Financial Intelligence Unit issued Resolution No. TF-50 Series of 2022 “pertaining to sanctions freeze order (SFO) against 16 groups linked to the CPP and NPA that were designated as underground terrorist organizations.”

The prohibition on banks, other financial institutions and other government agencies to transact with these organizations on pain of penalty is based on the provisions of RA 10168 or the ‘Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act’ “consistent with the Philippines’ international obligations to comply with binding terrorism related resolutions, including UNSC Resolution No. 1373 pursuant to Article 41 of the UN Charter.”

The announcement follows the issuance of ATC Resolution No. 28 dated January 26, 2022, signed by ATC vice chairperson and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, also a retired Armed Forces Chief of Staff.

The resolution, which was published at the Manila Times also last February 22, 2022, said it found “probable cause” to warrant the designations of these UGOs as terrorist groups.

The ATC noted that CPP founder, Jose Maria Sison himself named these groups as part of the CPP thru the NDF during his message on the latter’s 48^th anniversary last April 24, 2021; former top CPP cadres who have surrendered to the government also “clarified” that these groups are not merely ‘allied organizations’ of the CPP but rather, they constitute the “core groups” of the NDF.

The resolution also pointed to “verified and validated information” as well as “documentary” and “testimonial” evidence before the ATC designated them as terrorist organizations.

The CPP-NPA have been designated as terrorist organizations by the ATC last December 9, 2020, followed by the NDF/NDFP on June 23, 2021.

The ATC noted that under Article 9 of the 2016 CPP Constitution, the party has “absolute leadership” over the NPA while Article 10 states that the CPP also “leads” all the UGOs thru the NDF.

The AMLC directed the freezing, “without delay” of the following: property or funds, including related accounts that are owned or controlled by the subject of designation, and is not limited to those that are directly related or can be tied to a particular terrorist act, plot, or threat;

Property or funds that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the subject of designation; property or funds derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the subject of designation; and, property or funds of persons and entities acting on behalf or at the direction of the subject of designation.

“All the above covered institutions and relevant government agencies are directed to submit to the AMLC a written return, pursuant to, and containing details required under, Rule 16.c of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the TFPSA (RA 10168).

The AMLC further said that “any person, whether natural or juridical,” who “deals directly or indirectly” with any of the designated terrorist organizations or individuals “shall be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Below are the list of the organizations now subject to the SFO of AMLAC as identified by the ATC:

1. Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions (RCTU);
2. Katipunan ng mga Samahang Manggagawa (KASAMA) or Federation of Labor Organizations;
3. Pambansang Katipunan ng Magbubukid (PKM) or National Association of Peasants
4. Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) or Patriotic Movement of New Women
5. Kabataang Makabayan (KM) or Patriotic Youth;
6. Katipunan ng Gurong Makabayan (KAGUMA) or Association of Patriotic Teachers
7. Makabayang Samahan Pangkalusugan (MASAPA) or Patriotic Health Association;
8. Liga ng Agham para sa Bayan (LAB) or League of Scientists for the People;
9. Lupon ng Manananggol para sa Bayan (LUMABAN) or Committee of Lawyers for the People;
10. Artista at Manunulat para sa Sambayanan (ARMAS) or Artists and Writers for the People;
11. Makabayang Kawaning Pilipino (MKP) or Patriotic Government Employees;
12. Revolutionary Organization of Overseas Filipinos and their Families (COMPATRIOTS);
13. Christians for National Liberation (CNL);
14. Cordillera People’s Democratic Front (CPDF);
15. Moro Resistance and Liberation Organization (MRLO); and
16. Revolutionary Organization of Lumads (ROL).