ATC followed ‘internal mechanism’ for designating persons as terrorists —DOJ exec

The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) followed its “internal mechanism” before it designated self-exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison and 28 others as terrorists for the purpose of freezing their assets, an official of the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay explained the matter was first referred to a technical working group (TWG), which evaluated the basis for the designation.

The TWG then forwarded its recommendations to the council for its consideration.

“The ATC followed its internal mechanism for designation,” Sugay said.

Under the anti-terror law’s implementing rules and regulations, the ATC shall adopt mechanisms to collect or solicit information from relevant government agencies and other sources in order to identify persons or groups “that, on the basis of probable cause, meet the criteria for designation.”

Aside from Sison, the ATC designated as terrorists 18 alleged high-ranking officials of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and 10 persons affiliated with "local terrorist groups" such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the Daulah Islamiyah.

Sison and his wife Julieta shrugged off the government’s terrorist tag on them even as he claimed that the list appeared to be “arbitrary and dubious.”

But the ATC said in twin resolutions released on Thursday the designation list was based on “verified and validated” information.

“With regard to other actions against the designated individuals, if it can be determined that they violated relevant provisions of the ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act), the Revised Penal Code, and other laws and after appropriate proceedings criminal complaints may be filed against them,” Sugay said.

“This is apart from criminal cases already pending against many of these designated individuals.”

Designation is different from proscription, which aims to outlaw a group of persons or organizations which committed terrorist acts.

A petition for proscription against the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, has been pending with the Manila Regional Trial Court since 2018.—AOL, GMA News