Many of the accused are professionals like doctors, lawyers, priests, and social development workers who spent years implementing humanitarian and development programs in the Visayas through CERNET which has been active since 2001. 

By Marjuice Destinado
Bulatlat.com

CEBU – Respondents in the terrorism financing case against the Cebu-based NGO consortium Community Empowerment Resource Network (CERNET) expressed frustration after the court canceled and reset the hearing originally scheduled for January 20, 2026. They cited the delays as taking a heavy toll on their health and humanitarian work.

Several of the accused, collectively known as the “CERNET 27,” cited the death of fellow respondent Cristina Dimataga Muñoz who passed away on January 11, 2026, from stage 4 breast cancer that metastasized to her bones, lungs, and brain. Muñoz, a social worker and former executive director of Cernet Inc. since 2006, had been battling cancer when the case was filed in August 2023.

Of the 27 respondents, 15 are senior citizens and several have pre-existing medical conditions, making the prolonged proceedings particularly taxing.

The charges, filed under the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012 (RA 10168), accuse the group of allegedly delivering P135,000 ($2,287.90) to the NPA-South East Front in Dumaguete City in September 2012.

Warrants of arrest were issued in May 2024, even though three of the accused already died before 2023. Human rights groups criticized the filing of the case, describing it as part of a broader pattern of harassment against NGOs and development workers in the Philippines.

Read: Military accuses Cebu-based NGO of terrorist links

“Until when or how many of us will have to die before we can see justice?” asked Estrella Flores-Catarata, development worker and respondent in the case.

Nancy Estolloso, another respondent, said that the stress of the ongoing proceedings caused sleepless nights. “I’m praying that we will have a speedy trial so that in my lifetime, I can get justice… because this filing of cases is unfair.”

Humanitarian strain

Many of the accused are professionals like doctors, lawyers, priests, and social development workers who spent years implementing humanitarian and development programs in the Visayas through CERNET which has been active since 2001. 

They said that the case disrupted these programs which provide services like food security, livelihood support, and community development to marginalized communities.

Dr. Oliver Gimenez, the sole doctor in his municipality, said that the repeated court delays forced him to leave his patients waiting in his town. “This is really a demonstration that justice delayed is justice denied and deprived,” he said, highlighting the strain the case has placed on both himself and the community that depends on his care.Flores-Catarata said that their work should be supported, not targeted. “We offered our years of competent services through our NGOs and the programs of Cernet Inc. because the marginalized sectors badly need it, amidst government’s inability and neglect,” Flores-Catarata said. “NGO work, like what we are doing, deserves support and appreciation — not red-tagging, fabricated cases, harassment, and repression.” (RTS, DAA)