A Cebu court has dismissed the terrorism financing case against 27 directors and staff members of the Community Empowerment Resource Network (Cernet), also known as Cernet 27. The order, issued by pairing Judge Van Russel Inopiquez on Friday, May 15, 2026, was obtained by SunStar Cebu on Monday, May 18.
Grounds for Dismissal
The case, filed under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (Anti-Terror Financing Law), was dismissed on the ground that the acts allegedly charged “do not constitute a crime under the law in force at the time of their commission.” According to the order, the alleged violation was of Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 10168.
Reaction from Cernet
In a statement on Monday, May 18, Cernet called the dismissal “a major victory for human rights defenders” and civil society groups facing harassment and legal persecution by state forces, particularly the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.
Background of the Case
Then-Philippine Army Colonel Joey Escanillas filed the complaint in May 2023. He was later promoted to Brigadier General. A year after the complaint, Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Peter Ong filed the formal charges before Regional Trial Court Branch 74 in Cebu City, accusing the 27 Cernet personnel of funding the New People's Army.
