Christian group slams freezing of accounts, property of UCCP-Haran Center

A group of Christian churches in the country on Friday slammed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) for freezing the bank deposits and real property of a religious group over alleged ties to terrorism.

According to the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the AMLC on March 12 issued a freeze order on three bank accounts worth P600,000 of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-Haran Center in Davao City.

The order also covered a real property under the name of Brokenshire Integrated Health Ministries, Inc.

The AMLC took the action following allegations that UCCP-Haran’s assets had been “used to finance terrorism” and that the center indoctrinated Lumads with “communist ideals,” the NCCP said.

However, the NCCP countered that the UCCP-Haran Center “has been a safe haven for Lumads fleeing from rampant militarization in their communities.”

“This is a direct assault on the ministry of UCCP and would further put in danger the lives of the internally displaced Lumads who sought refuge in Haran,” it added.

The NCCP urged the government to lift the freeze order, stop the “harassment” against UCCP and other rights defenders, and “fully uphold human rights.”

“The Christian faith compels us to provide care for the least of our sisters and brothers, like the Lumad communities in Mindanao who have endured decades-old neglect and abuse,” the NCCP said.

“It is ironic that this happened when a significant portion of our country is remembering the betrayal, passion and resurrection of Jesus. This only serves to underscore the overbearing use of power by those who rule.”

Responding to the criticisms of the NCCP, AMLC Executive Director Mel Georgie Racela said that, though he was not at liberty to discuss any details of a freeze order, his office's actions were based on a thorough and careful evaluation of the evidence.

"Our investigation is not specifically directed to UCCP as an organization but to the funds and properties that are possibly related to the financing of terrorism," Racela added.

He also pointed out that the Davao Region's Regional Peace and Order Council had recommended the immediate closure of the UCCP-Haran Center in January 2020 over alleged violations of IP's rights and exploitation of the IPs for terroristic activities committed inside the facility.

"In fact, there are cases filed against the administrators and officers of the Haran Center by the IPs themselves which include child abuse, trafficking in person, and violation of humanitarian laws," said Racela.

"Nevertheless, with respect to this freeze order issued by the AMLC, the management of the UCCP-Haran Center may avail of the remedies provided under the law,"  the AMLC executive director said in his statement.

Section 25 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 empowers the Anti-Terrorism Council headed by the Executive Secretary to designate an individual, groups of persons, organization, or association, whether domestic or foreign, as terrorist/s “upon a finding of probable cause” of participation in acts of terrorism.

The provision also states that the AMLC has the power to freeze the assets of the designated individual, groups of persons, organization, or association. Under the law, the freeze order is effective for 20 days, but it could be extended by the Court of Appeals to six months.

There are 37 petitions asking seeking to nullify the anti-terror law, which took effect last July, before the Supreme Court. — DVM, GMA News