By NG Seruela
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) welcomed the designation of the National Democratic Front (NDF) of the Philippines as a terrorist organization under the Anti-Terrorism Council Resolution No. 21.
In a statement issued on Thursday (July 22), DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año likened the NDF as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” since it has been “posturing as a legal, above ground organization that had engaged with the government during peace talks while discreetly colluding with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and other underground mass organizations to sabotage the peace talks from within, plotting to overthrow the Philippine government, and supporting the CPP-NPA’s failed “people’s democratic revolution.”
Sec. Año emphasized that with the designation of NDF as a terrorist organization, the “lies and deceit of the NDF have come to light.” He said the designation reveals the true colors of the NDF.
“The designation exposes the NDF for what it actually is – an integral part and minion of the CPP — which has been working under its command and leadership to ultimately seize power from the government, through armed struggle and other means, in order to overthrow the government and establish a communist and repressive state in our country,” he said.
Año insisted that with the new designation, the “masquerade is over.” The group will now be deprived of financial and logistical support and resources.
“Support and financial assistance from institutions and even foreign governments whom they have been duping for many years will also be severed as said groups may now be prosecuted under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 for supporting a terrorist organization,” he added.
The DILG chief branded the designation as a “significant victory.” -rir
