Sison, CPP members could file for delisting as ‘terrorists’ –Esperon

Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison and 18 other individuals could file a petition with the Anti-Terrorism Council to be delisted as "terrorists," National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Saturday.

"[Fifteen] days they can file for delisting," Esperon said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

"Eh 'di mag-file sila, sina Sison. May warrant of arrest nga 'yan, eh 'di pumunta siya rito, at panagutan pa niya 'yung iba pa niyang mga kasalanan," he added.

(Sison and his group could file. He has a warrant of arrest, he should come here and answer for his wrongdoings).

Esperon said provisions in the Anti-Terrorism Law allowed persons identified as "terrorists" to file for delisting.

"May pagkakataon sila kung hindi sila terrorista. Pero palagay mo ba 'yung Central Committee members na 'yan ay lalabas sila?" he however asked.

(They have a chance to prove themselves if they are not terrorists. But do you think the Central Committee members would do this?)

The ATC  designated Sison and 18  others as terrorists. The designation authorizes the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze their assets.

Aside from Sison, also included in the list are his 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.  — DVM, GMA News