Esperon: Terrorist 'tag' on Joma, others based on UNSC resolution

The designation of ranking members of the Communist Party of the Philippines as terrorists was based on a United Nations Security Council resolution in  identifying terrorist organizations.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Saturday in a public briefing that the "terrorist tag" on some CPP members, including the party's founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, was based on the UNSC Resolution 1343.

Esperon said that, in fact, the CPP is also designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. 

Likewise, he cited President Rodrigo Duterte's proclamation 374 in 2017 declaring the CPP-NPA (New People's Army) as a terrorist organization, in connection with terrorist financing under Republic Act 10168.

"All of these designations were combined for the CPP-NPA to be designated as terrorists, as provided for in the new Anti-Terrorism Act," Esperon said.

The designation of the 19 individuals, contained in the council's Resolution Number 17 (2021) dated April 21, 2021, authorizes the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze their assets.

Also included in the list are Sison's wife Julieta, Vicente Ladlad, Jorge Madlos, Adelberto Silva, Rey Casambre, Rafael Baylosis, and Wilma and Benito Tiamzon. The 19 are all members of the CPP's Central Committee. —LBG, GMA News