Gov’t anti-terrorism body names NDF as ‘terrorist group’

MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has designated the National Democratic Front (NDF) as a “terrorist group”.

In a five-page resolution made public Monday, the ATC said it “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.”

Sections 7, 10, and 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) refer to the conspiracy to commit terrorism, recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists.

The ATC said the NDF is an integral part of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). It even noted that no less than CPP founder Jose Maria Sison – a “designated terrorist” by the government – identified NDF as an allied organization of the CPP-NPA.

NDF is said to be the political arm while NPA is the armed wing of the CPP.

According to the ATC resolution, Sison’s wife, Juliet De Lima-Sison, was recently named the Interim Chairperson of the NDF negotiating panel. Like Sison, the government has named her a terrorist.

READ: Anti-terror council tags Joma Sison, 18 other CPP members as terrorists

The ATC resolution added that the NDF continues to recruit people to join the communist movement while its armed wing continues to launch attacks.

Quoting a report from the military, the ATC said at least 1,506 terrorist activities had been committed by the NPA since 2010, including the abduction of 544 children who were allegedly forced to become so-called child warriors.

KGA