EU vows to audit funds allegedly donated to NGOs linked to CPP-NPA

The European Union has committed to look into the Philippine government's claims that several non-government organizations allegedly linked to the communist rebels received funding from the political and economic bloc.

"We are pleased with how the EU Ambassador accepted the submission of the National Task Force (NTF) of which the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a part," AFP spokesperson Marine Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

"The EU did not just commit to look into the voluminous documents the NTF has submitted, it even committed to enlist a third party firm to audit the funds they donated to NGOs we reported to have links with the terrorist CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army)," Arevalo said.

In a separate statement, the EU confirmed that it received on March 28 a set of documents concerning the more specific allegations by the Philippine government.

"The EU now will verify and evaluate these documents. A financial audit by an external company is due to be conducted in April," the EU said.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. wrote EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles De Kerchove on March 26.

In his letter, Esperon alleged that EU funds were being used for the recruitment and exploitation of vulnerable sectors such as indigenous peoples, "the systematic destruction of the latter's culture and value system, and the murder of their leaders."

He said Belgian non-government organizations SOLIDAGRO, Viva Salud, and KIYO have "indirectly and unwittingly partnered" with Philippine NGOs accused of communist ties.

Among the Philippine NGOs identified by Esperon were the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV); Ibon Foundation; Karapatan; Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation, Inc.; the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines; the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center, Inc.; the Alliance of Health Workers; the Kilusang Mayo Uno; Gabriela; and ACT.

"Even Belgium has reported that it is taking the claim seriously and is now conducting an investigation pursuant to the submission to ensure that their donations comply with their “strict legal requirements," Arevalo said.

"We express our appreciation to the EU and the Belgian Ambassadors to the Philippines for the manifest keen interest of their governments. It shows that they desire to ensure that their support do not end up with organizations that actually or indirectly support terrorist activities," the AFT spokesperson said.

The EU said that since 2005 it considers the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People's Army as terrorist groups, "which means [among others] that no assets can be held in EU by these organizations."

"Should the allegations be established, the EU immediately would take full legal action," the bloc said.

Arevalo, for his part, said the Philippine government is confident that it will succeed in proving its case.

"Soon the flow of funds to organizations like Ibon Foundation, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Anakbayan, and other front organizations will stop," he said.

"It will also halt the many years spent and millions of pesos funneled to support the terrorist movement," he added. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News