Tagging NDF as terror group a ‘victory’ for gov’t —DILG

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday called as a victory for the national government the designation of the National Democratic Front (NDF) as a terror group.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año welcomed the designation by the Anti--Terrorism Council (ATC), saying that the NDF has been exposed as part of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

“The designation is a significant victory for the national government, local government units, civil society, private sector, and other stakeholders who compose the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict,” he said.

According to Año the NDF has long been posturing as a legal, above ground organization that had engaged with the government during peace talks.

But, Año added that the NDF is “discreetly colluding with the CPP-NPA and other underground mass organizations to sabotage the peace talks from within, plotting to overthrow the Philippine government, and supporting the CPP-NPA’s failed “’people’s democratic revolution.’

The ATC designated the NDF as a terrorist organization over its links to the communist rebels as stated in its resolution dated June 23.

In light of this, the Anti-Money Laundering Council issued a freeze order against the properties, funds, and other accounts connected to the NDF. -MDM, GMA News