AFP confident of proving cases vs. CPP-NPA front groups

Arevalo said the EU and Belgium committed to investigate its donations allegedly funneled to the communist legal front groups. (PNA File Photo)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday expressed confidence in proving their cases before the European Union (EU) and Belgium against the supposed groups acting as legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

“We are confident that we will succeed in proving our cases. Soon, the flow of funds to organizations like Ibon Foundation, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Anakbayan, and other front organizations will stop. It will also halt the many years spent and millions of pesos funneled to support the terrorist movement,” AFP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said in a statement.

Arevalo said the EU and Belgium committed to investigate its donations allegedly funneled to the communist legal front groups.

“It (EU) even committed to enlist a third party firm to audit the funds they donated to NGOs (non-government organizations) we reported to have links with the terrorist CPP-NPA.

Even Belgium has reported that it is taking the claim seriously and is now conducting an investigation pursuant to the submission to ensure that their donations comply with their ‘strict legal requirements’,” he said.

The AFP, he said, is thankful to the EU and Belgium for their keen interest on the matter.

“It shows that they desire to ensure that their support do not end up with organizations that actually or indirectly support terrorist activities,” he added.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon on Tuesday formally wrote to the European Union (EU) to “immediately cease” its funding being funnelled to communist front groups.

Among the listed local non-government organizations (NGOs) acting as CPP fronts were the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV); IBON Foundation; Karapatan; Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc.; the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines; the Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center Inc.; Alliance of Health Workers; the Kilusang Mayo Uno; Gabriela; and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers.

The EU and the Belgian embassy in Manila on Thursday received the initial documents and pieces of evidence against a number of groups allegedly fronting for the CPP-NPA.