JUSTICE Undersecretary Adrian Sugay on Monday said that designated terrorists can ask the Anti-Terrorism Council for delisting.

However, Sugay in a message to reporters said that the council has not received any request for delisting yet.

“The internal mechanism for designation also contains provisions re: delisting. We are proposing a few additional provisions and this will hopefully be taken up during the next ATC (Anti-Terrorism Council) meeting. As far as I know, no request for delisting has been received by the ATC, ” Sugay said.

Last month, Sugay said that designated terrorists can go to regular courts to seek judicial relief.

“After the designation resolution is issued and after the assets are frozen, the designee can always file a petition for delisting, a verified petition for delisting, and may also of course go to court and seek judicial remedy,” he said.

” We would like to think there are enough standards or safety provided for not just in the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 but also under the Anti-Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act, ” he added.

In two separate resolutions, the ATC has identified 29 ranking officials and members of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army, and Islamic groups as terrorists under the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Their designation as terrorists are contained in ATC Resolution Nos. 16 and 17 dated February 24, 2021 and April 17, 2021, respectively, and was signed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., vice chairperson of the ATC.

In Resolution No. 17, the ATC identified 19 ranking officials and members of the CPP/NPA, including Jose Ma. Sison, who is the founder of the party.

Also tagged as terrorists were National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultants Vicente Ladlad, Adelberto Silva, Rafael Baylosis, Wilma Tiamzon, and Benito Tiamzon.

According to the resolution, the ATC found probable cause, as defined in the anti-terrorism law, that the CPP leaders and consultants have violated Sections 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the ATA, “for planning, preparing, facilitating, conspiring, and inciting the commission of terrorism and recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization or a group organized for the purpose of engaging in terrorism.”

On the other hand, Resolution No.16 tagged 10 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leaders and members as terrorists. Esmael Abdulmalik, an Islamic State (IS) hardliner connected with the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI), was on the top of the list.

Also tagged as terrorists are nine other individuals affiliated with either the DI, ASG, or the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). They are Raden Abu, Esmael Abubakar, Muhiddin Animbang, Salahuddin Hassan, Radzmil Jannatul, Majan Sahidjuan, Faharudin Bonito Hadji Satar, Mudsrimar Sawadjaan, and Almujer Yadah.