MANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has approved the freezing of bank deposits and other assets of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA), according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a text message to reporters on Sunday (December 27), DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the AMLC approved the freeze after the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) formally designated the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group.

AMLC Executive Director Mel Racela, meanwhile, clarified that there are no bank accounts directly named under the CPP-NPA.

“There are no accounts under the name of CPP/NPA, but the FO (freeze order) covers the related accounts (RA) of said organization. RA means all accounts opened and maintained for the benefit of said organization, the identification of which the banks and other covered persons will play a very important role,” Racela said.

He also added that the freeze order aims to “deprive designated terror organizations of resources to prevent possible terror attacks.” AAC

The Philippine Army has arrested an alleged official of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in Camarines Sur.

Marilou Pascual Tan or alias Tinay is now in the custody of the Tinambac Municipal Police Station.

Authorities said Tinay is among the high-value individuals arrested for frustrated murder.

Tinay is allegedly the secretary of Komiteng Probinsya 2 of the Bicol Regional Party Committee (BRPC) of the CPP-NPA.

Police authorities recovered anti-personnel mines, hand grenades, .38 caliber gun, and propaganda materials.

Brigade Commander of the 902nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, Col. Jaime Abawag Jr. said they managed to track Tinay down after receiving a tip from several residents.

“This development is a manifestation of the continuous collapse of the CTG (communist terrorist groups). Their very own people are now siding with the government and exposing their own top leaders who are supposedly well-insulated,” he said.

Abawag also encourages residents to immediately report suspicious individuals in their area. -AAC (with reports from Allan Manansala)

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte will consider the position of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against declaring a ceasefire with communist rebels this holiday season, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte normally “gives a lot of weight” on the recommendations of the military.

“Pakikinggan po ‘yan, but ultimately it’s only the President who will decide,” he said during a press briefing.

AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo earlier said the military will not recommend a holiday truce with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, due to the rebels’ “incapacity for sincerity.”

“This was the AFP’s painful experience where the communist terrorist group reneged from their own ceasefire declaration by attacking and killing soldiers on humanitarian and peace and development missions,” Arevalo said.

“During the incumbency of a truce, these terrorists continued their extortion activities and committed crimes of murder, arson, and the likes,” he added.

Arevalo, however, said that the AFP would support whatever the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte will be despite their position on the matter.

Last year, the government and the CPP-NPA both declared a truce during the holiday season, from December 23, 2019 to January 7, 2020. – RRD (with details from Correspondents Rosalie Coz and Lea Ylagan)