ILOILO – The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced the filing of criminal charges against Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) founder Jose Maria Sison and some ranking officials for two separate attacks in Western Visayas.
In a statement, CIDG director Brigadier General Ronald Lee said Sison and members of the NDF negotiating panel – Luis Jalandoni, Coni Ledesma, Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala, and Porferio Tuna Jr. – were charged with violation of Republic Act (RA) 9851 (Philippine Act on Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and other Crimes Against Humanity) for indirect participation in connection with the burning of heavy equipment in Hamtic, Antique on June 2, 2018.
Also charged were members of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 11 (GF 11), Napoleon Tumagtang Command (NTC), Southern Front (SF) Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay (KR-Panay).
The complaint was filed before the Antique Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Lee said the overt acts committed by the accused were a clear violation of the laws and customs applicable in armed conflict under RA 9851.
The same charge was also filed against Armando Magbanua and six other suspected members of the Komiteng Rehiyon Negros-Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor (CN2 KR, NCBS), in connection with the alleged extortion involving the management of the Hacienda Vicenta LN Agustin Farm Incorporated.
Lee said the rebels burned a farm tractor of the company when it refused to pay the revolutionary tax being asked by the rebels.
The case was filed in Bacolod City.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
The NDF has been formally designated as a terrorist organization by the Anti-Terrorism Council on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and inseparable part” of the CPP-NPA created in April 1973. (PNA)/PN
