Government seeks terrorist tag for 600

A government petition seeking to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), terrorist organizations also sought to tag a UN special rapporteur, a former lawmaker, four former priests and at least 600 individuals as terrorists.

In a motion filed in the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 on Feb. 21, the Department of Justice (DOJ) included the UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo on its list of terrorists.

Also on the list were CPP founding chair Jose Maria Sison, alleged CPP leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Rafael Baylosis and former peace panel chief Luis Jalandoni.