THE National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) has dismissed a renewed call by UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan for the abolition of the task force, which is chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a statement on Saturday afternoon, NTF-Elcac executive director Ernesto Torres Jr. said the existence of the task force should continue even as he warned against complacency in efforts to end insurgency.
Khan, in a recent report, cited the “diminished” threat of insurgency, the NTF-Elcac’s “red-tagging” and intimidation of civil society groups as among the reasons why the task force should be abolished.
“CPP-NPA-NDF recruitment is still ongoing, targeting minors and students,” said Torres, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front.
“Legal fronts remain active in shielding the underground movement. Is this the moment to step back, or the moment to stay the course?” asked Torres, a retired Army general.
Torre said the task force is not relying on military action but has involved other government agencies in delivering livelihood, education and infrastructure to conflict-affected areas.
“We were not born out of convenience but out of necessity. Our mission is the product of 50 years of failed peace talks and broken promises. And now that we are seeing real results, we are being told to disband,” said Torres.
On red-tagging, Torres said it is not red-tagging when the task force is just reporting the death and arrest of NPA rebels who are doubling as youth leaders of so-called national democratic organizations.
“When former rebels swear under oath about how legal fronts shield underground operations, that’s not propaganda. That’s the truth. And truth demands accountability,” added Torres.
“The report calls it red-tagging; we call it lying when groups deny what they are, despite the evidence,” Torres also said.
On the allegation that the NTF-Elcac is a threat to civil society groups, Torres said, “The past six years (of the task force’s existence) say differently.”
“We have fostered dialogue in places the government was once unwelcome,” said Torre.
He also cited the task force’s inclusive peace-building efforts with schools, churches and former rebel communities.
“Professors and students now sit in open forums with former rebels. Faith-based groups work with us in healing communities long torn by conflict. These are not signs of shrinking civic space, they are proof of it expanding,” said Torres.
