Terrorism Case Against Tacloban-Based NGO Dismissed

By Juliane Judilla

The Office of the Prosecutor has dismissed the terrorism financing case filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against the Leyte Center for Development Inc. (LCDE), a Tacloban-based non-government organization focused on disaster risk management.

In a four-page resolution issued on December 19, 2024, the Tacloban City Prosecutor’s Office found the evidence against LCDE Executive Director Jazmin Jerusalem and staff members Fena Joyce Moscare and Mary Grace Laureno to be insufficient and baseless.

The CIDG’s complaint, led by PSSg. Divine Grace B. Songalia, alleged that LCDE officials funded and supplied materials to members of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which is classified as a terrorist organization by state forces.

Songalia claimed that LCDE operates as a front organization supporting the CPP-NPA through its international funding sources.

However, the prosecutor stated that the CIDG’s accusations relied solely on testimonies from former rebels who had surrendered and claimed their involvement in the alleged crimes.

The resolution emphasized that such testimonies were not supported by concrete evidence linking LCDE officials to the accused individuals. Furthermore, it noted the absence of proof of any direct contact between the surrendered rebels and Jerusalem or her staff.

The prosecutor also highlighted the lack of legal basis for the allegations, stating that the evidence presented did not substantiate the claims of terrorism financing.

LCDE has been a key organization assisting victims of disasters and calamities, including families affected by super typhoon Yolanda more than a decade ago.

On May 16, 2024, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) issued a freeze order on LCDE’s bank accounts for alleged terrorism financing, halting its operations.

With the dismissal of the case, LCDE is expected to continue its humanitarian efforts, although the impact of the freeze order on its operations remains a concern.