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Lawyers say terrorist financing raps vs. nuns, others 'unvetted'


The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) denounced the indictment of 16 individuals for allegedly providing funds to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), saying it is a dangerous "unvetted" accusation.

“UPLM denounces the dangerous accusation against 16 individuals of the non-bailable offense of allegedly providing funds to the CPP-NPA,” it said in a statement.

The lawyers said that to indict the 16 individuals based on “unvetted or still to be clarified statements is to act on rumors."

“No less than the Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to heed the principles of justice, truth and fairness in the conduct of its duty to the public which it has sworn to serve,” they said.

On Monday, the DOJ said the Anti-Money Laundering Council looked into the bank accounts of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines-Northern Mindanao Region (RMP-NMR) on basis of sworn statements of former CPP-NPA members. 

According to witnesses, the RMP-NMR would project proposals to be presented to foreign funders. Once approved, they said that 60% of the wired money will be channeled to the CPP-NPA as support for the purchase of firearms and ammunition.

But the UPLM countered that the projects of the RMP-NMR went through a "rigorous" selection process by its donors, including foreign funders.

“The projects of the RMP-NMR went through the rigorous processes of selection, monitoring and auditing by its respective donors, such as the European Union, the United Nations, and many others,” it said.

UPLM also defended its secretary general, lawyer Czarina Musni, who was one of the persons linked to the allegations.  It said Musni has figured in various projects in partnership with the RMP-NMR in providing legal assistance to Lumad communities. 

“These engagements have strengthened the indigenous peoples’ movement in the assertion of their rights as a people,” the UPLM said.

“Ironically, these developments triggered the government and earned its ire. Anyone who dares to run counter to the policies of this government faces the wrath of red-tagging, and worse, the marking as a terrorist and an enemy of the state,” it added.

GMA News Online has reached out to the DOJ for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.—LDF, GMA News

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