Lacson supports blocking of websites linked to terror groups 

Outgoing Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday said the blocking of the websites linked to the communist terrorist groups (CTGs) has a legal basis, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

This, after the National Telecommunications Council (NTC), upon the request of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., ordered the internet service providers (ISPs) to block 26 websites believed to have ties with Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

"If the blocked websites had to do with financing the activities of the CPP-NPA which the Anti-Terrorism Council had already designated as a terrorist organization, there is a legal basis under the law for such action undertaken by the NTC," Lacson said in a statement.

Lacson, however, said concerned individuals or groups may challenge the NTC’s directive before the court.

"It is the basic right of an 'aggrieved' party to do so as it has something to do with the interpretation of the law," said Lacson, chairperson of the Senate committee on national defense and security, peace, unification and reconciliation.

NTC issued a memorandum on June 8 requiring all local ISPs to submit an action report after blocking the websites “not later than five days” after their receipt.

The list includes the websites of the NDF of the Philippines, CPP, Bulatlat, Hiyaw, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, among others.

Esperon made the request to the NTC after the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) have designated the CPP, NPA, and the NDFP as terrorist organizations, and dubbed the CPP-NPA Central Committee members as terrorists.

“The activities, in terms of recruitment, funding, and propaganda, of these communist terrorist organizations, should be stopped,” he said.

Facebook and Twitter have also started a crackdown against accounts and pages belonging to CTGs.

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