Innabuyog and Binnadang Amianan condemned the charges of “terrorism financing” against Marcylyn Pilala, an indigenous small business owner from Barangay Gueday, Besao, Mountain Province. Pilala is accused of supplying food, medicine, and other goods to the New People’s Army (NPA).

“This absurd accusation is an example of the dangerous trend where laws… are being used against innocent civilians,” according to the joint statement of the two groups. Innabuyog is an alliance of women’s organizations in the Cordillera region, while Binnadang Amianan comprises individuals and organizations in Metro Manila supporting marginalized sectors in Northern Luzon.

The complaint against Pilala is based on the testimony of a couple named Victor Baltazar (aka Omar) and Karen Baltazar (aka Iris) who claim to be former NPA members. They said Pilala’s store is a source of resources for the rebel group.

Pilala is a former substitute teacher, farmer, and owner of a small store. Her small sari-sari store, a common source of livelihood in rural areas, has been misrepreneted as “evidence” of terrorism financing,” according to Innabuyog and Binnadang Amianan. This is criminalizing people’s modest livelihoods, they say.

Pilala, a resident opposing the construction of a wind energy facility on their ancestral land previously served as the Mountain Province Youth Alliance chairperson.

This is not the instance time of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA) of 2012 being used to file charges against activists, progressives, and ordinary citizens. According to Karapatan, over 100 similar cases have been filed under the Marcos regime.

This crackdown aligns with the National Security Plan 2023-2028 and the National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Terrorism Financing and Counter-Proliferation Financing Strategy (NACS) 2023-2027. NACS was established undee Executive Order 33 issued by Marcos on July 4, 2023.

“Laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Law and the TFPSA used as tools of oppression must be repealed,” said Innabuyog and Binnadang Amianan. They called for unity in support of their fellow victims of these laws.