CERNET 27

In May 2023, a criminal complaint was filed accusing the non-governmental organization (NGO) Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET) and 27 individuals who were affiliated with the organization (collectively “CERNET 27”) of violating Section 8(ii) and Section 9 of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (Republic Act No. 10168) of 2012.

On May 8, 2024, all 27 individuals (including three already deceased) were indicted together with CERNET by the Department of Justice before the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City. After a warrant of arrest was issued against the accused on May 13, 2024, all were able to post bail.

Since its foundation in 2001, CERNET has continuously worked with grassroots organizations to improve poverty in their communities. Despite its recognized work, CERNET has for years been the target of unfounded accusations of supporting the communist insurgency or the armed rebel group New People’s Army (NPA) in the Philippines. This practice of so-called “red-tagging,” i.e. the branding of individuals or organizations as “terrorist” or belonging to the NPA, is a common strategy of the Philippine security forces to prevent, among others, NGOs and their employees from carrying out their work.

“Red-tagging” often leads to further harassment, public defamation, unlawful surveillance, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and even killings. Shortly before the said charges were filed against CERNET, Philippine security forces, particularly General Joey Escanillas accused CERNET and its members of supporting the NPA during a press conference in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on April 30, 2024. Among the accused are former and active development workers and human rights activists who were or are still associated with CERNET. The fabricated charges not only put the individuals and their families at risk but also hinder their respective organizations and their important work with marginalized communities.

On May 19, 2024, the Cebu City Police posted a photo of one of the 27 accused, Estrella Catarata, on its social media website on Facebook, falsely naming her as the “No. 1 most wanted person in Central Visayas”. On the same Facebook account page, the photos of two other defendants, Dr. Oliver Gimenez and Dr. Petty De Castro, were also posted. On another Facebook page, the photos of five other accused were posted and labeled as “wanted persons.”

CERNET and its employees have been subjected to “red-tagging” attacks in the past. In addition, in early 2023, Dyan Gumanao, an employee of CERNET, was abducted together with her partner Armand Dayoha by alleged Philippine security forces and interrogated for several days at an undisclosed location (see case: Dyan Gumanao and Armand Dayoha).

In January 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, denounced the practice of “red-tagging” and called for the abolition of government agencies known for harassing activists. Khan emphasized that such actions hinder and delegitimize community-led development and poverty alleviation work.

According to CERNET, the main witness in the case, Bernabe Nieves, claimed to have paid 135,000 pesos to the NPA in Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental province in September 2012 as a former CERNET employee through another witness, rebel returnee Hermosila Apao Villamor. Nieves was employed by CERNET in July 2006 but was fired in November 2012 after he was caught – according to CERNET – lying about having a chronic illness to get more benefits and receiving money from the military in exchange for information about CERNET’s project proposals.

CERNET’s bank account has been frozen since October 2023. As a result, CERNET can no longer support projects in which more than 200 civil society organizations in the Visayas were involved.

In August 2024, in a joint communiqué to the Philippine government in response to the indictment of CERNET and the 27 individuals for alleged terrorist financing, various UN Special Rapporteurs expressed grave concern about “the potential consequences of asset freezing measures [on] vital humanitarian and human rights services.”

Charges were brought in September 2024; hearings were held in February and May 2025. All hearing were attended by diplomatic observers from different embassies in Manila, including the German Embassy. Even the testimony of an employee of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) at the last hearing could not prove the alleged money transaction from CERNET to the NPA.

On April 23, 2025, Estrella Catarata, one of the CERNET 27 defendants, filed a complaint against General Escanillas for the “red-tagging” attack against CERNET 27 the previous year.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 31, 2025.

AMP has published three statements relating to the CERNET 27 case:

Download (PDF): AMP-Statement: On fabricated charges against NGOs in the Philippines 2025

Download (PDF): AMP-Statement: Fabricated charges against CERNET members in the Philippines 2024

Download (PDF): AMP-Statement on terror financing accusations against CERNET 2023

Update: June 13, 2025