National Democratic Front joins CPP, NPA, in ‘terrorist’ list

THE Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, has approved the inclusion of the ‘National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP), in the country’s official list of terrorist organizations.

Under Resolution 21 dated June 23, 2021 but released to the media only last July 19, 2021, the ATC said the NDFP is “integral and inseparable part” of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army (CPP/NPA) which were also declared as terrorist organizations by the ATC last December 2020.

The concluding provisions of Resolution 21 reads:

“Whereas, the NDF also known as (a.k.a.) NDFP is organized, controlled, acting on behalf of or at the direction of, and operated by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) — a designated terrorist organization, association and/or group of persons under ATC Resolution No. 12 (2020);”

“Whereas, based on verified and validated information as well as testimonial and documentary evidence, the ATC found probable cause warranting the designation of the NDF a.k.a. NDFP as a terrorist group of persons, organization, or association for having committed, or attempting to commit, or conspire in the commission of the acts defined and penalized under Sections, 7, 10, and 12 of the ATA…”

“Now, therefore, by virtue of the powers vested on the ATC pursuant to Section 45 of the ATA, and after finding probable cause, the ATC hereby designates the NDF a.k.a. NDFP as a terrorist organization/association.”

The ATC was created under Section 45 of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA), and assumes the responsibility for the proper and effective implementation of the policies of the country against terrorism.

Prior to the NDF’s joining the country’s terrorist list, the ATC, last May 13, 2021, also designated the 19 top leaders of the CPP-NPA as “terrorists.” The names include CPP founder Jose Maria Sison and his wife, Juliet Delima-Sison, who has been identified as the current “interim” chairperson of the NDF.

The NDF was founded in 1973 by the CPP to act as the “umbrella organization” of all other-CPP created organizations covering the entire breadth of Philippine society and social classes.

Lacking past understanding on how the CPP conducts its internal affairs, the government, however, ended up dealing with the NDF during the series of peace talks that started in 1987, under Pres. Corazon Aquino.

But as the CPP Constitution, under Article 10 (The Role of the Party in the United Front) made clear, even the NDF recognizes the CPP as the “comprehensive leader and center of the Philippine revolution.”

“The Party shall maintain its independence and initiative in the united front and shall not enter into any arrangement in which it shall lose these…

“…The National Democratic Front (NDF) is the most consolidated underground united front…explicitly under working class (CPP) leadership and for armed struggle along the general line of national democratic revolution. The NDF is the most important part of the entire united front,” the CPP Constitution stressed.

Asset freeze ordered

Two days after the ATC resolution was released, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) last July 21, 2021 released a statement saying it has frozen the accounts of groups and individuals linked to the NDF, with the directive to local banks taking effect immediately.

The council also ordered the immediate freezing of any property or funds owned or controlled by the NDF, including connected accounts.

Property or funds that are wholly or jointly owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the NDF; those derived or generated from funds or other assets owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the NDF; and of persons and entities acting on behalf or at the direction of the NDF are also subject to the freeze order.

The AMLC also placed a hold on the accounts of 20 individuals who have been designated earlier as terrorists by the ATC, including Radulan/Radullan Sahiron also known as Commander Putol/ Gagandilan/Magang and Sansibar Saliddin Bensio/Sansibar Saliddin Bencio aka Sibar/Sansi of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The council warned the public against dealing directly or indirectly, in any way and by any means, with any property or fund that is believed owned or controlled by the groups or personalities designated as terrorists by the ATC.

Those found ignoring the order are also liable to be prosecuted, the AMLC warned further.