The Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and all other groups assisting them in their recruitment, operations, and financial dealings are to be outlawed, according to a party-list lawmaker’s measure submitted on Thursday, September 1.
House Bill 4324, introduced by Representative Drixie Mae Cardema of the Duterte Youth Party-List, wants to declare the CPP-NPA-NDF and all groups supporting it to be “illegal” and “outlawed”.
“For the defense of our Republic and protection of the Filipino youth from being recruited as terrorist fighters, it is imperative that we provide this strong legal measure to support our government, our government troops, and the millions of peace-loving Filipinos in securing our society from the said terrorist activities,” said Drixie.
The bill also proposes a “Balik Loob” provision that would allow anyone who is a member of the CPP-NPA-NDF or organizations supporting them to renounce their membership for a period of only 30 days after the Act’s passage in writing and under oath before their municipal or city mayor, provincial governor, or the President of the Philippines.
Such renunciation will protect him or her from the proposed law’s criminal penalties and entitle him or her to benefits and support through the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
For his part, Ronald Cardema, Chairman of the National Youth Commission, states that they would also push for death penalty for the criminals who fail to surrender within 30 days.
“Pag ito naipasa, bibigyan kayo ng 30 days para sumuko. Bibigyan kayo ng livelihod para mag-bagong buhay. Pero kung after 30 days ayaw niyo pa, huhulihin na kayong lahat. Baka ma-death penalty pa kayo. Isa pa naming ipo-propose yung death penalty para sa mga ayaw nang sumukong NPA at terorista,” said Ronald.
According to the proposed legislation, anyone who joins or continues to be a member of the CPP-NPA-NDF or any group that supports them faces a prison mayor sentence, a lifetime ban on holding any elective or appointed public office, and confiscation of both their real and personal property.
Reclusion temporal is the primary punishment in cases of a second conviction, while reclusion perpetua is the punishment for all subsequent convictions.
Allowing oneself to be listed as a member in any lists, records, correspondences, or documents of the organizations; accepting the organization’s discipline; making a financial contribution; carrying out orders, plans, or directives; acting as an agent, courier, messenger, or organizer on behalf of the organization; and recruiting for the CPP-NPA-NDF in schools or communities are some actions that shall serve as prima facie evidence of membership.
