THE MARCOS REGIME has charged at least 12 progressives for “terrorism” and “terrorism financing” in the past few weeks. Cases have been filed to suppress them and their organizations.

In Quezon, Paul Tagle, spokesperson of Tanggol Quezon, and Fritz Labiano, coordinator of Kabataan Partylist in the province, were charged with “terrorism financing”. The case against them arose from providing aid and food to political prisoners in July 2023.

In Negros Island, a similar case was filed against some former and active members of the “Paghida-et sa Kauswagan” Development Group Incorporated (PDG Inc). Clarissa Ramos, Felipe Levy Gelle, Federico Salvilla, and Perla Pavillar were accused of “terrorism financing”. Also charged was Darryl Albañez, who is not a member of PDG Inc but assisted in its activities. They were subpoenaed on April 29.

In Leyte, the personal bank account of Jazmin Jerusalem and that of the Leyte Center for Development, Inc. (LCDe), which she heads, were arbitrarily ordered frozen on May 2. The order was issued on April 26 following unsubstantiated allegations of “terrorism financing” against her and another LCDe staff.

In Nueva Ecija, charges of “terrorism” or violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 were filed against Nathanael Santiago, Anasusa San Gabriel, Rosario Brenda Gonzales, and Servillano Luna, Jr, and three others who are all activists and mass leaders. They are being implicated in an encounter between the 84th IB and the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay San Fernando Sur, Laur, Nueva Ecija on October 8, 2023, on claims that they were “recognized” by soldiers during the firefight.