Manila court: Not all activists are part of underground movement

Protesters assemble in front of CCP grounds for the Black Friday Protest. Police personnel block their entry to PICC for the COMELEC Canvassing, Friday, May 13.

Philstar.com / Jazmin Tabuena

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:02 p.m.) — In dismissing the Department of Justice’s proscription petition against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, the Manila court warned against the dangers of red-tagging groups or activists that are simply airing concerns on their specific advocacies or to how the government is running the nation. 

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in a decision dated September 21, signed by Presiding Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar, said membership in national democratic mass organizations (NDMOs) does not automatically mean that the individual is also part of underground illegal movements or even the CPP-NPA.

“Members of NDMOs espouse valid societal change, without necessarily giving through to ‘armed struggle’ or ‘violence’ aimed at overthrowing the government, as a means to achieve the same,” its decision read. 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/22/2211479/manila-court-not-all-activists-are-part-underground-movement