By By Juliane Judilla
The Office of the Prosecutor dismissed the terrorism financing case filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against the Leyte Center for Development Inc. (LCDe), a disaster risk-focused non-government organization (NGO) based in Tacloban, Leyte.
In a four-page resolution issued by the Office of the City Prosecutor in Tacloban City on December 19, 2024, the fiscal argued that the evidence for the alleged “terrorism financing” case against LCDe executive director Jazmin Jerusalem and two other staff members, Fena Joyce Moscare and Mary Grace Laureno, was insufficient and baseless.
In a written affidavit, PSSg. Divine Grace B. Songalia of the CIDG claimed that LCDe officials funded and supplied materials to members of the revolutionary group Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which state forces have labeled as a “terrorist” organization.
Songalia alleged that LCDe serves as a front organization supporting the CPP-NPA through its international funders.
However, the fiscal stated that Songalia’s claims relied solely on the testimonies of former rebels who had surrendered and alleged they were actively involved in the crime.
According to the fiscal, such accusations cannot be considered sufficient to push the case forward. Additionally, they noted that there was no concrete evidence proving that the surrendered individuals and Jerusalem had any contact or were acquainted in any way.
The resolution also highlighted the lack of direct proof to support the claims, adding that the complainants failed to provide any legal basis to substantiate their accusations as factual.
LCDe is a non-government organization assisting survivors of calamities and disasters in Eastern Visayas. They are continuously assisting the families affected by super typhoon Yolanda, more than a decade ago.
In May 16, 2024, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) released a “freeze order” on LCDe’s bank accounts for alleged “terrorism financing,” halting the group’s operations./PT
