Terrorism financing case vs 5 Negros Occidental community workers junked

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —A trial court in Iloilo has dismissed the terrorism financing case filed against five community development workers in Negros Occidental, who were linked to the communist movement.

In a 24-page ruling dated March 14, Judge Cyril Regalado of the Iloilo Regional Trial Court Branch 31 dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.

The defendants – Dharryl Albanez, Felipe Gelle, Perla Pavillar, Clarrisa Ramos and Federico Salvilla – are workers of the Paghidaet sa Kauswagan Development Group Inc., a civil society organization based in Kabankalan.

The group serves marginalized sectors in the southern part of the province.

In a statement, the Bayan Negros Chapter said the trial court ruling is proof that the charges filed against the workers were baseless, politically motivated and intended to dismantle organizations that advocate genuine agrarian reform and uphold the rights of the people.

The court gave credence to the arguments of the defendants that although they were linked by the government to communist rebels, they could not be charged with violation of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act.

The defendants were reportedly charged based on the claims of former rebels that they were soliciting funds to buy firearms for the New People’s Army.