European embassies’ donations to PH NGOs must have gov’t OK — Locsin

MANILA, Philippines — European embassies should first ensure that all donations to Philippine non-government organizations should be approved by the government, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy “Boy” Locsin Jr. said on Saturday.

“Over a month ago I fired off a memo to all our European embassies to tell their host governments to clear any and all donations to their NGOs in the Philippines with the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Locsin said in a tweet.

Over a month ago I fired off a memo to all our European embassies to tell their host governments to clear any and all donations to their NGOs in the Philippines with the Department of Foreign Affairs. Or we will deregister them in the SEC. If that hasn’t been done do it now.

— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 31, 2019

Locsin said if his memorandum was not followed, he will “deregister” certain host governments in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

“Or we will deregister them in the SEC. If that hasn’t been done, do it now,” Locsin said.

Locsin’s statement came as an Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) official disclosed that the European Union (EU) will temporarily hold its funds for NGOs in the Philippines, which could have links with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

AFP deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. said they implemented this after a meeting with government officials and officials of European Union (EU), the European Parliament, and the European Commission to request Belgium and EU member countries to end giving funds to NGOs involved with communist groups. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

READ: EU to hold funds for Philippine NGOs with link to Reds