Warning against providing financial and material support to CPP-NPA-NDF

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) warns the public against providing money and material support to the Communist Party of the Philippine-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Recall that the ATC designated the CPP-NPA and NDF as terrorist organizations under ATC Resolution Nos. 12 (9 December 2020) and 21 (23 June 2021), respectively, pursuant to Paragraph 3, Section 25 in relation to Section 45 of Republic Act No. (RA) 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA).

Prior to the ATC designation, the CPP-NPA has been designated by other countries and jurisdictions:

• The United States of America designated the CPP-NPA as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) on 9 August 2002 and continues to include them in their FTO list;
  
• The European Union designated the CPP-NPA on 28 October 2002 and reaffirmed said designation on 13 January 2020;
• Australia designated the CPP-NPA on 28 October 2002 and relisted them on 13 November 2013;
• The United Kingdom designated the CPP-NPA on 14 August 2002 and reaffirmed said designation on 7 July 2020; and
• New Zealand designated the CPP-NPA on 11 October 2020 and renewed said designation on 26 September 2019.

Section 12 of the ATA states that any person who provides material support to a terrorist individual or organization, knowing that such individual or organization is committing or planning to commit terrorist acts, is liable as principal and in relation to Sections 4 and 6 of the ATA, shall suffer the penalty of life imprisonment. On the other hand, Section 8 of RA 10168 or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA) provides that any person who makes available any property or funds or financial services or other related services to designated persons or organizations shall suffer the penalty of reclusion temporal to reclusion perpetua and a fine of not less than PhP500,000.00 nor more than PhP1,000,000.00.

Further, Section 11 of the TFPSA authorizes the Anti-Money Laundering Council, upon its own initiative or at the request of the ATC, to freeze property or funds that are related to terrorism financing. In effect, the ATC designation makes any person who provides monetary and material support to the CPP-NPA-NDF liable for violations of relevant provisions of the ATA or TFPSA.

Over the years, the Communist Terrorist Group has engaged in terrorism financing. Recovered CPP-NPA documents, statements of former NPA members, and other reliable sources reveal that communist terrorists raise and collect funds through extortion/taxation, including election fees, such as “permits to campaign/win” from politicians. According to a former ranking NPA member, fees collected from political candidates are pro-rated based on the sought position. Other regular and major sources of funds are mining companies, telephone companies, construction firms, and other businesses, including project funds from abroad. These funds amount to billions of pesos, where 60% goes to the CPP Central Committee and 40% remains with the regional units for their terrorist operations.

Apart from money, communist terrorists also receive firearms, combat boots, uniforms, and technical equipment/gadgets.

Putting an end to the local communist movement entails cutting off their sources of funding and other means of support. Thus, the public must immediately report any coercive or illegal fund collection by the communist terrorists as these terrorism financing activities sustain the violent agenda of the CPP-NPA-NDF that disregards not only our country’s laws but also human life, public safety, and right over property.

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AMLC marks 20th anniversary with charity donation

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) celebrated its 20th Anniversary themed “Resilience and Digital Transformation” with charity donations to the Baclaran Church’s Perpetual Kitchen Mission and Hospicio De San Jose as part of its social responsibility initiative.

During the ceremonial turnover of donations held on 12 October 2021, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and AMLC Chairman Benjamin E. Diokno said that while the AMLC promotes peace and order, “civic and charitable organizations are just as crucial since they provide refuge to the impoverished, the downtrodden, and the marginalized and also open doors to opportunities and maybe even a new lease on life.”
 
“If so, then perhaps, well-being among its people can protect a society from the ills of lawlessness. And this is where we come together, despite the differences in our mandates and responsibilities,” the Governor added.
 
The donation to Baclaran Church’s Perpetual Kitchen Mission will be used to provide home-cooked meals for the homeless, Locally-Stranded Individuals and frontliners.
 
Meanwhile, the donation to Hospicio De San Jose will support the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul’s programs for children and youth welfare and development, persons with special needs, senior citizens, and crisis intervention programs.

During its virtual 20th anniversary ceremony on 19 October 2021, the AMLC awarded plaques of appreciation to partner stakeholders from the Insurance Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, Office of the Executive Secretary, Office of the Solicitor General, other government offices, foreign and local organizations, and intelligence and law enforcement agencies for their contribution in the two-decade fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

List of Uncooperative Covered Persons

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AML/CTF Webinar for POGOs and SPs 29 November 2021