Ex-peace negotiator Luis Jalandoni, 5 other ‘Reds’ tagged as terrorists

Luis Jalandoni, the former chief negotiator of the National Democratic Front, has been tagged as a terrorist by the Anti-Terror Council along with five other suspected members of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Also tagged as terrorists in resolutions the ATC released were five alleged members of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The Anti-Terrorism Act gives the ATC the authority to designate an individual, group of persons, organization, or association, whether domestic or foreign, upon a finding of probable cause, as terrorists.

ATC's Resolutions 31 and 32 which deemed the following individuals as terrorists namely:

• Jalandoni a.k.a. Louie, Ka Rosendo, Bernie, Lopez, Bern/Munding, Cinco, Fernando, Andres, currently a Central Committee member of the CPP, member of the NDF/NDFP;
• Simon Naugsan, Sr. a.k.a. Filiw, Wayat, Bernie, Nasser, Yasser, Arop, currently the spokesperson of the designated terrorist organization Cordillera People’s Democratic Front and member of the CPP-NPA; 
• Afrecia/Apricia Alvares, Alvarez Rosete a.k.a. Bambam, Bambi, Jamjam, lsay,  Tengteng, Lalay, Laly, llay, Maymay, Lily, Lali, Danielle, Aurora Cahayon, currently the Secretary of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee of the CPP-NPA;
• Maria Luisa Purcray a.k.a. Byul, Nanul, Meriam, Awri, Miriam, Monica, Viol, Rodora Guevarra, Lerma, Maou, Melba, currently the Secretary of the Ilocos Cordillera Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA;
• Maria Gigi Ascaño-Tenebroso a.k.a. Gigi, Jiji, currently a member of the designated terrorist organization KAGUMA, finance officer of Southern Mindanao Regional Committee of the CPP-NPA, and member of the CPP-NPA; 
• Walter Alipio De Asis Cerbito a.k.a. Wati, currently a member of the designated terrorist organization Christians for National Liberation
• Basaron Arok/Basarun Aruk a.k.a. Abdulbasser, Abdulkadil, Arkam,  Bas, Bossing, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the Daulah, Dawlah lslamiya (DI)
• Ellam Sajirin, Ellam Nasirin, Ellam Nasarin, lllam-Nasirin a.k.a. Ellam, lllam, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI;
• Madjid Said/Majid Said a.k.a. Amah Pattit, Padin Padul, Pading, Amah Sah, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI;
• Mura Asgali Kayawan a.k.a. Salip Mura Asgali, Salip Mura, Salip Murah, Maas, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI; and
• Tawakkal Bayali, Tawakal Bayali, Tawakkal Abugaw Bayali, Tawwakal Bayali a.k.a. Abu Tawakkal/Jaber, sub-leader of the ASG and affiliated with the DI.

"Based on verified and validated information obtained and consolidated by the National Intelligence Committee which was submitted to the ATC, there is a finding of probable cause, warranting the designation of specific persons for violations of Sections 4, 6, and 10 of the ATA, for engaging in acts of terrorism, planning, training, preparing, and facilitating acts of terrorism, and for recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization," the Resolutions read.

ATA is the Anti-Terrorism Act which gives the ATC the authority to designate an individual, group of persons, organization, or association, whether domestic or foreign, upon a finding of probable cause, as terrorists.

"Designation plays a critical role in the fight against terrorism and is an effective means to eliminate, prevent or suppress the financing of terrorist acts, the provision of support to entities and persons involved in terrorist acts, the recruitment of members of terrorist groups, and the supply of weapons to terrorists," the resolutions added.

The ASG has long been identified as a terrorist organization under the Republic Act No. 9372 or the Human Security Act back in September 2015.

Likewise, the ASG is also a designated terrorist organization by the United Nations Security Council under the United Nations Security Council's Consolidated List of individuals, groups of persons, organizations, or associations designated and/or identified as a terrorist, one who finances terrorism, or a terrorist organization or group.

On the other hand, the Islamic State East Asia, Maute Group, Dawlah lslamiyah, Islamic State East Asia, Maute Group, CPP, New People's Army, NDFP were proscribed terrorist organizations by the ATC last December 2020 or after the Anti-Terrorism Act was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. —Llanesca T. Panti/GMA News