I am not a terrorist and I strongly condemn my designation as such by the Anti-terror Council (ATC) of the Philippine government. I categorically state that never in my life have I committed any act of terrorism. For the past three decades I have always worked for just peace to reign in the Philippines and for the Filipino people. Members of the government peace negotiating panels and other GRP officials can attest to this.

Yet the anti-terrorist council based its designation on so-called secret verified information and the trumped-up murder charges against me. It is an outright lie. I was not even in the Philippines when these alleged crimes were committed.

My designation as a terrorist is a warning by the Manila government to those striving for genuine and meaningful change, and peace is not in the agenda of the incoming administration. But I am confident that the people will persevere in their search for a just and lasting peace.#

Signed:

Luis G. Jalandoni
Former Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel
Senior Adviser to the NDFP Negotiating Panel