We have received reports that the Financial Action Task Force, the international standard-setting body for anti-money laundering (AML) and countering financing of terrorism (CFT), is in the country on January 20 and 21 to conduct an on-site assessment of the Philippine government’s compliance with its set of recommendations for the country to be removed from the “greylist”. According to State authorities, the FATF’s rating on “grey/black list” impacts on the country’s access to financial resources, foreign investments and increase in cost and burden in financial transactions and administrative requirements.
We would like to bring across to the public and the international community that efforts to comply with the Financial Action Task Force standards to exit the greylist are done at the expense of human rights and due process. To comply with the recommendation to “increase in the identification, investigation, prosecution and conviction of Terrorism Financing cases”, the Marcos administration went on a spree of arbitrarily filing terrorism financing charges against community folk, activists and development workers.
During the last quarter of 2024, the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA) of 2012 was used by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) against the following individuals in Northern Luzon:
- Marcylyn Pilala, a small seller of variety goods from Besao, Mountain Province
- Lenville Salvador, a Martial Law survivor who serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Katinnulong Daguiti Umili ti Amianan-Peoples Partner in Northern Luzon, Inc. (KADUAMI), and Chair of the Board of Ilocos Center For Research, Empowerment, Empowerment, And Development (ICRED), Inc
- Petronila Guerrero Guzman, KADUAMI Board of Trustees member
- Myrna Zapanta, churchworker and community partner of KADUAMI.
- Sarah Abellon Alikes of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance
- James Capuyan, a transient house owner in Baguio City
Earlier, in July 2023, four leaders of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) were designated as terrorists by the Anti Money Laundering Council:
- Windel Bolinget, chairperson
- Sarah Abellon Alikes, member – People’s Welfare Commission
- Jennifer Awingan, member – Research Commission
- Stephen Tauli, member – Regional Council
State authorities filed complaints and cases and designated terrorists against the abovementioned individuals based on false allegations made by rebel returnees associating them to the New People’s Army. During the preliminary investigation, they even submitted a copy of a Confidential Security Document that mentioned a “Project Exit the Greylist” ordering the bio-profiling of Myrna Zapanta, which was used in the surveillance of her activities and harassment against her and her family.
The filing of cases and complaints, which prompted UN mandate holders to raise deep concern over the misuse of terrorism laws, has caused a severe impact on civic spaces. Along with the continuous redtagging, harassments and outright civil and political rights violations with the implementation of E0 70 and the Anti-terrorism Laws, socio-economic and humanitarian services to marginalized communities have been stalled, hindered and are facing numerous challenges. This means that marginalized communities are deprived of programs being provided by NGOs such as on food security, community-based health services, disaster relief and rehabilitation, among many other needs.
We therefore call on the FATF to equally employ enhanced due diligence in its review on the Philippine compliance on its recommendation particularly on increasing prosecution and conviction of terrorist financing so that the country will be removed from the greylist. The FATF should take serious measures to review the substance of the filed charges and cases of terrorism financing and terrorist designation. Additionally, we draw the attention of the FATF to provide equal space for on-site visit with the individuals and NGOs charged of terrorism and terrorism financing.
We continue to denounce the judicial attacks against NGOs and community partners and call for the dismissal of fabricated charges and complaints. We continue to call out the use of laws to stifle legitimate political dissent, and to deny the people of their right to development.#
Reference:
Maureen Loste