Justice department to file petition seeking to declare Communist Party of the Philippines as a terror group

December 26, 2017

The justice department will file this week a petition before a lower court seeking to declare Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) as a terrorist group.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said it took them almost a month "because we have to prepare very carefully the petition."

“Our task force has been meeting with the intelligence people from NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency), ISAFP (Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines) and other intelligence agencies of the government,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said he is optimistic the court would grant the petition. On Tuesday, the CPP marked its 49th anniversary, marking four decades of struggle against the government.

“We are including in the petition numerous supporting pieces of evidence showing that the CPP and NPA are committing terroristic activities despite numerous initiatives of President Duterte to reach out to them,” Aguirre disclosed.

Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9372 (Human Security Act of 2007) requires the DOJ to first seek clearance from the court before an organization, association or group of persons can be declared as terrorist and outlawed group.

Last month, the justice department moved for the arrest of key leaders of communist group National Democratic Front (NDF) - political arm of CPP - who had been granted provisional bail for their participation in the botched peace talks.

Prosecutors filed a motion before the Manila regional trial court branch 32 seeking cancellation of bail grant on 20 NDF consultants led by spouses Benito and Wilma Tiamzon.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently cancelled the peace talks and labelled the Communist Party of the Philippines as a terrorist group. DMS