đˇLeyte Center for Development Inc. Executive Director Jazmin Jerusalem
THE humanitarian program of a Leyte-based non-governmental organization (NGO) has taken a backseat since the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) issued an order effectively freezing its bank accounts.
In a protest rally at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Leyte Center for Development Inc. Executive Director Jazmin Jerusalem urged AMLC to “unfreeze” their ban accounts from where the get funds to defray the cost of bring services and humanitarian activities in poor communities.
Jerusalem likewise called on the DOJ to strike out LCDI in the government’s roster of terrorists.
âPlease unfreeze our accounts. Kasi weâre a poor NGO. We help government deliver basic services to poor communities na sinalanta ng bagyo, disaster survivors. Weâve been doing that since 1988. 36 years na kami,â Jerusalem said in a television news report.
LCDI’s bank accounts and even personal savings deposits of its employees and suppliers havd been frozon since May ghis year on the suspicion that the NGO is being used as conduit in transfering terrorist funds.
She added that the drastic freezing of LCDI’s accounts was done without a court case filed against them.
âNothing in court. It was just a resolution from the AMLC⌠just a one-liner because we were supporting terrorist or financing terrorist. That was just it⌠We donât have any court case. Thereâs nothing against us in court,â she said.
Jerusalem said this came as a âreal shockâ as the NGO has been operating for 36 years or since 1988 in Samar and Leyte. She said they serve at least an average of 25,000 individuals yearly in terms of emergency response.
âFoods, solar lamps, mats, blankets. Water. So we will be depriving these people of aid. And weâre helping the government. Weâre complimenting governmentâs efforts to solve poverty,â Jerusalem said.
The NGO has also received awards such as the Salamat Po Award, the Gawad Kalasag Award, and the Most Outstanding NGO in Voluntary Work award, according to Jerusalem.
Due to the resolution, however, they had to stop their projects
Aside from affecting their projects, Jerusalem said the freezing of their bank accounts is also affecting their daily lives.
âThatâs our lifeline. So weâre calling on AMLC, please naman have due process and justice. Youâre like killing us. Youâre like killing us because you took away our lifeline, both personal accounts and organizational,â she said.
âWe donât have any other recourse. Where will we get food? Money to buy food? And payment for basic needs. So sabi ko nga, youâre slowly killing us, all of us,â she added.
Jerusalem said they have filed their pleadings before the Court of Appeals.
âWe only have the court to resort to. I believe that thereâs still justice in our country. So I really just trust the justice system in our country,â she said.
The protest of the human rights groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan coincided with the 4th anniversary of the signing of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
âWe have already seen in the past four years how draconian laws on terrorism and terrorist financing have been used not against terrorist but weaponized against ordinary citizens,â Bayan Secretary General Raymond Palatino said in a statement.
âThe first step is for the DOJ public prosecutors to withdraw all such cases,â he added. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
