• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The government’s anti-terrorism campaign suffered a setback after a regional trial court in Iloilo dismissed a terrorism financing case against five Negrenses alleged to be affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and allied front organizations in Negros Island.
In a 24 page decision dated March 14, Iloilo Regional Trial Court Judge Branch 31 Cyril Regalado ordered the dismissal of the case due to lack of jurisdiction.
Cleared of charges were Federico Salvilla, Perla Pavillar, Dharryl Albanez, Felipe Gelle, and Clarrisa “Yesha” Ramos, all reported to be development workers of Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group Inc., a civil society organization in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, that serves marginalized sectors in southern Negros Occidental.
Bayan Negros, in a statement, said the dismissal of terrorism financing charges is damning indictment of the state’s use of fabricated cases, red-tagging, and terrorist-tagging to attack development workers.
“This ruling proves what we have long asserted: these charges were baseless, politically motivated, and designed to dismantle movements fighting for genuine agrarian reform and the democratic rights of the people,” according to Bayan Negros deputy spokesperson Berlita Ante.
In his decision, Judge Regalado gave credence to the legal contention of the defendants that even though they were red-tagged, by accusing them with terrorism financing, they still cannot be charged with violation of Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.
The respondents were accused by authorities, based on the claims of former rebels, of soliciting funds to purchase firearms for the New People’s Army in Negros Island, strongly denied the allegations.*
