Military official says EU will hold funds for Philippine NGOs linked to Communists

(Eagle News) — The European Union will so far hold the funds for non-government organizations which have links to the Communist Party of the Philippines, a military official said on Wednesday, March 13.

Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. made the revelation in a press conference in Malacanang on Wednesday, March 13, following what he said was a meeting of government and military officials with officials of the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Union.

During the meeting, Parlade said the Philippine side requested EU member-countries to stop giving the aid to such organizations.

“Yung na release nila ina-audit nila. Yung di pa nila na-rerelease, hinohold muna nila, hanggang kaya nila kasi naka-program na yun e,” Parlade said.

According to Parlade, the “ball” was now on the Philippine side to provide them with the documentation as proof of the Philippines’ claims.

President Rodrigo Duterte ended peace talks with the Communists in November 2017, following what he said were their atrocities that included the killing of a baby.

A month later, Duterte signed a proclamation declaring the CPP-New People’s Army a terrorist organization.

The Department of Justice subsequently filed a petition with the court calling for the prescription of the CPP-NPA as a terrorist group as provided under the Human Security Act of 2007.