By Roy C. Mabasa
President Duterte issued yesterday a proclamation classifying the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as “terrorist groups.”
Speaking to reporters, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the proclamation declaring the CPP and the NPA “as a designated, identified terrorist organization” falls under Republic Act 10168 or the Human Security Act.
Under the Human Security Act, Roque explained that any person or entity designated or identified as a terrorist, finances terrorism or terrorist organization or group under the applicable United Nations Security Council Resolution or by another jurisdiction or supranational jurisdiction.
“So as the President has stated before, he has finally classified the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization within the purview of the Human Security Act,” Roque said.
The Palace spokesperson, however, clarified that the proclamation to declare the CPP-NPA as terrorist groups has yet to go through a legal process before it could even officially take effect.
Roque said the Department of Justice (DoJ) is directed to immediately file the necessary application for the prescription or the declaration of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization with the appropriate Regional Trial Court (RTC).
“So because of the proclamation, the Secretary was directed by the Executive Secretary to file a petition in the RTC because it is not automatic that just because the executive has classified the group as a terrorist organization it will be considered as a terrorist organization under the domestic law and under relevant security council resolutions,” Roque added.
The National Democratic Front (NDF) was not included in the proclamation.
Last Nov. 23, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 360 officially terminating the peace negotiations with the NDF-CPP-NPA following incidents of ambush that resulted in the killings of government forces.
