The Marcos regime’s harassment through “terrorism financing” charges, or violations of the Terrorist Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (TFPSA), has claimed more victims. Recently targeted are Sarah Alikes, a Cordillera People’s Alliance (CPA) member, and several leaders of the Katinnulong Daguiti Umili Ti Amianan (KADUAMI, Inc.) and members of the Ilocos Regional Ecumenical Council.

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) denounced what they described as baseless charges against Alikes. The charges, filed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 14 (PNP CIDG RFU 14) through Patrolman Jamil G. Tay-og, was used as basis for the Urdaneta Regional Trial Court Branch 73 to issue an arrest warrant against her.

The charges stemmed from the police’s accusation that Alikes funded a New People’s Army (NPA) unit’s attack on the Philex Mining Corporation in Itogon, Benguet, in February 2017. The NPA’s Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Command (Chadli Molintas Command) acknowledged burning two company trucks that month.

According to the CHRA, Alikes was previously arrested in connection with the alleged involvement in the attack. She was charged with arson and theft and was acquitted by the court in July 2018 for lack of evidence.

Despite her acquittal, the PNP CIDG RFU 14 has now accused her of funding the NPA’s arson, according to the CHRA. “The renewed accusation, filed on March 15, 2024, is yet another form of judicial harassment,” the group stated.

Alikes is also among the CPA leaders and other activists who have been arbitrarily labeled as terrorists by the Anti-Terrorism Council under ATC Resolution No. 41. This designation has been challenged in court. “Between 2018 and 2023, Alikes faced multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, violations of international humanitarian law, and rebellion,” the CHRA stated. The group noted that all these charges were dismissed for lack of evidence.

Marcos regime’s “Project Exit the Greylist”

The Defend NGOs Alliance-Northern Luzon called for an investigation into the Marcos regime’s “Project Exit the Greylist,” which is being used to file “terrorism financing” charges against various development organizations and groups. The alliance shared the emergence of a secret document during the government’s preliminary investigation in connection with the “terrorism financing” charges against KADUAMI Inc. leaders.

The alliance also found, in addition to “Project Exit the Greylist,” a 2021 “Order of Battle” document listing well-known church leaders, development workers, and activists as targets for prosecution. “This is indicative of a systematic policy and program to target non-profit and non-government organizations,” the alliance stated.

On November 25, KADUAMI Inc. filed a complaint with the House of Representatives and the Commission on Human Rights regarding this policy. They formally called for an investigation by the appropriate government institutions. Meanwhile, KADUAMI Inc.’s Lenville Salvador and Petronila Guzman and ICRED’s Myrna Zapanta presented a response to the Department of Justice on December 2 as part of the preliminary investigation into the “terrorism financing” charges filed against them.

Prior to this, KADUAMI Inc. condemned suspected state forces for five recorded instances of surveillance of their members and offices in November.