MANILA – A party-list representative is seeking for the revival of the Anti-Subversion Act, which will outlaw the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the New People’s Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Ducielle Cardema filed House Bill 8231 or the “Anti-CPP-NPA-NDF Act of 2021,” which likewise outlaws all other organizations supporting the CPP, NPA and NDF in their recruitment, operations and financial transactions, among others.
Cardema said the repeal of the Anti-Subversion Law in 1992 through RA 7636 was a “mistake” as it gave way to “terrorist activities” of CPP-NPA.
She added that outlawing the rebel groups would result to the “stability of the government, the security of the Republic, and a better future for the millions of peace-loving Filipinos.”
“If you want peace, prepare for war. If we want peace in this country, we must finally destroy the entire capability of the CPP-NPA-NDF to wage war in all their fronts, against our government and our people,” Cardema said.
“With this new and improved Anti-Subversion Law, our proposed Anti-CPP-NPA-NDF Act of 2021 will not only destroy their ability to wage war, but will also give them a second chance to join our peace-loving society in this modern era,” she added.
Cardema’s proposed bill has also enumerated several acts which constitute “prima facie evidence” of membership in the CPP-NPA-NDF and in other organizations supporting them.
These include allowing oneself to be listed as a member of these groups in any list, record, or document, subjecting to their discipline, giving financial contribution, executing orders or plans, acting as agent or messenger, preparing documents or publications promoting the groups’ objectives, participating in their activities, among others.
Also included in the measure is a provision for “balik loob,” which exempts any member of the CPP-NPA-NDF from the penal sanctions of the proposed law if he or she renounces, in writing and under oath, membership from the groups within 30 days from the enactment of the measure and the promulgation of its implementing rules and regulations.
Any member who renounces membership from these groups and who functions as state witness of the government will also be placed under the witness protection program and be given state pension or honorarium./PN
