Terrorist-tag not an obstacle to future talks with Reds – DOJ

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has assured that the government’s court petition seeking to declare communist rebels as terrorists will not be an obstacle the possible resumption of peace talks.

“Hindi naman makakasagabal yan (the petition will not be a hindrance),” Aguirre told reporters yesterday.

“Kaya lang naman napilitan ang ating Pangulo na terminate ang peace talks ay dahilan sa nakikita niya na walang sinseridad ang other party (The only reason President Rodrigo Duterte terminated the peace talks with the communist rebels is because they have shown no sincerity),” he explained.

When the government was still engaged in peace talks, Aguirre reminded Duterte gave in to the requests of rebels including the release of detained communist members so they can participate in the peace negotiations.

“All this ay parang ginagawa pa na opportunity ng CPP-NPA na magpalakas ng pwersa at kanyang perpetrate ng mga terroristic acts (The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army used this as an opportunity to strengthen their forces and conduct terroristic acts),” Aguirre lamented.

Last Wednesday, the DOJ filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) a petition seeking to declare as terrorists the CPP and its armed wing the NPA.

Once the court grants the petition, the Secretary said the government can freeze or sequester the assets of the organizations and its members.

Apart from this, the government can also conduct wiretapping activities and look into their bank accounts.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, who filed the proscription, said the 55-page petition focused on atrocities committed by the rebels in 2017, particularly, 12 incidents.