Plenty of voices have called for the abolishing of the NTF-ELCAC and plenty of others have praised the NTF-ELCAC for the work they do. The task force says there is so much controversy because they are a thorn in the side of the CPP-NPA.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239532 |
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is a "thorn" and the "worst nightmare" of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), for bringing development in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said since 2018, the task force has improved the infrastructure and education facilities in far-flung areas.
"That is why, (with) every opportunity, they would like to have it abolished," Torres said in a statement.
“We have now our road map focused on socio-economic development until we reach the objective of really empowering the people to be more resilient against the threat of terrorist groups and other groups, particularly the CPP-NPA-NDF [National Democratic Front],” he added.
As a result of the anti-insurgency task force's multi-faceted approach, including development programs, information campaigns and community engagement, Torres said the communist groups have weakened.
Thousands of rebels surrendered, dismantling 85 out of 89 guerilla fronts, and weakening of the remaining four.
“So, we will now celebrate the successes, the achievements, and the partnerships that we had for the past six years,” Torres said.
The NTF-ELCAC was established through Executive Order 70 signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in December 2018 to “provide an efficient mechanism and structure for the implementation of the whole-of-nation approach to aid in the realization of collective aspirations for inclusive and sustainable peace.”
In a separate statement, the NTF-ELCAC said its sixth anniversary "serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility in addressing the root causes of conflict and empowering communities."
Building infrastructure and education facilities in far-flung areas makes them a thorn in the side of the CPP-NPA? That is ridiculous. Good governance is what the CPP-NPA wants. Good governance should not be counterinsurgency program it should be the day-to-day job of the government elected by the people.
Apparently the CPP-NPA are recruiting in Iloilo schools.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239547 |
The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has expressed serious concern over the reported recruitment activities by the communist group in schools, urging an immediate halt to these actions.
In a statement released Monday, the Army condemned the "aggressive actions" of the communist group after recruitment materials, allegedly distributed by the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), were discovered at two state universities in Iloilo province.
The University of the Philippines Visayas’ student publication “Pagbutlak” reported on its official Facebook page that propaganda materials and KM stickers were found in various areas in the campus on Dec. 6.
Similarly, Forum-Dimensions, the student publication of West Visayas State University, confirmed that similar materials were discovered on its campus the same day.
Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, described the recruitment efforts as a desperate attempt by the communist group to find prospective leaders following the deaths of high-ranking leaders in recent encounters.
“Our students are particularly vulnerable to these deceptive tactics," Sison said.
"We cannot afford to let even one student be misled into wasting their life fighting for a futile cause. We will not allow this to happen.”
Sison urged educational institutions in Panay to take stronger measures to prevent the infiltration and recruitment within their campuses.
“Investigations should be launched to identify those responsible for distributing these recruitment materials, with appropriate administrative action taken, if necessary,” he said.
The Army also plans to bring the issue before the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, for a “coordinated, inter-agency approach to stop the group’s recruitment of youth.”
Sison expressed hope that students would reflect on the tragic consequences faced by those recruited into the New People’s Army, urging them to learn from these experiences.
Don't forget the AFP has claimed the NPA is leaderless and can no longer carry out recruitment activities. Looks like they were wrong.
More rebels continue to surrender. 17 ex-rebels surrendered in Central Luzon.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239636 |
Seventeen former communist rebels have surrendered to police units in Central Luzon, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 reported on Tuesday.
In a statement, PRO Central Luzon director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the 15 former members of Liga ng Manggagawang Bukid (LMB) under Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) surrendered 11 a.m. on Dec. 9 in Barangay Bunol, Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
The surrenderers include Iza, alias Bebe, alias Cindy, alias Auring, alias Fidel, alias Josie, alias Josa, alias Juday, alias Vane, alias Mayo, alias Len, alias Maring, alias Quel, alias Roma and alias Yolly.
Around 2 p.m. on the same day, alias Matwa, a member of Alyansang Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMGL-KMP), surrendered in Pampanga 2nd PMFC (Provincial Mobile Force Company) in Barangay San Pablo, Sta Ana, Pampanga, who also turned in a rifle grenade.
Alias Lei, also member of AMGL-KMP, surrendered in Barangay Consuelo, Macabebe, Pampanga around 3:45 p.m. and turned over 40mm explosive ammunition.
"These voluntary conversions are proof of the success of our joint efforts to stamp out the insurgency,” Maranan said.
“We will continue to support those who want to renew their lives and become part of our society again. PRO 3 will remain committed to maintaining peace and security in our region,” he added.
Maranan urged the remaining members of these groups to lay down their arms and take advantage of the government's Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits.
It's not clear if these are people who left the NPA long ago and are now surrendering or if they left only recently. Whatever the case they will be able to avail of E-CLIP benefits.
The two NPA supporters who were arrested after a clash in Quezon will not be able to avail of those benefits.
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| https://mb.com.ph/2024/12/13/2-npa-supporters-nabbed-in-quezon |
Troops arrested two suspected civilian New People’s Army supporters in an encounter here on Thursday, Dec. 12.
The two individuals were identified as Ronilo and Genero.
The 85th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was patrolling Barangay Guinhalinan when it engaged an undetermined number of rebels under Platoon Reymark of the Sub-regional Military Area 4-B.The communist guerillas fled following a brief gun battle and apprehended the duo after they were found in the area.
Seized from them were improvised explosive device, gadgets, personal belongings, and subversive documents.
No casualties were reported on the side of the military and the NPA.
Other rebels have surrendered after watching Christmas wish videos of their families pleading with them to surrender.
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| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239712 |
At least five active members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Leyte and Samar provinces have surrendered more than a month after the Philippine Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade launched the “Wish Upon a Star" project.
The project that has been reaching out to families, relatives, and loved ones of active rebels to learn about their Christmas wishes has been found effective in the government’s anti-insurgency campaign, said Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the Army’s 802nd Infantry Brigade.
The surrenderers are Guillerma Alvero alias "Majay" from Mahaplag, Leyte; Ferning Canhatan alias "Dods" also from Mahaplag town; and Jemilyn Malinao alias "Mitch" from Kananga, Leyte; Realyn Basada alias "Lorry" from Hinabangan, Samar; and Ruben Magcoro alias "Ara" from Pinabacdao, Samar.
Alvero, Canhatan, and Malinao used to be members of the island committee-Levox of the NPA’s Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee based in Leyte Island.
Basada was the secretary of the NPA's sub-regional committee, while Magcoro held the position of vice squad leader of the NPA’s Apoy Platoon in Eastern Samar.
In the case of couple Alvero and Canhatan, they surrendered after watching the video clip of a Christmas message from their friends asking them to return home to be with their sick two-year-old son.
The former NPA members called for the other NPA remnants to be reunited safely with their respective families this Christmas.
Vestuir thanked those who liked, followed, and shared the “Wish upon a Star” episodes on social media until it reached its target audiences.
“A wish will remain a wish if you won’t do something, but if you do it with faith, trust, and effort, it might come true and eventually become a blessing,” Vestuir added.
Under the “Wish Upon a Star” project, the Army has been recording the Christmas wishes of families of active NPA combatants. The videos are being shared by members of the local task force to end local communist armed conflict and netizens until they are viewed by active rebels.
These videos were mentioned last week but it's not clear if they are the same people. They do not seem to be. So, who made the videos? How were they delivered to the rebels to watch? Are they shared on Facebook? What's the mechanics behind this psy-op?
The NTF-ELCAC has said there is no such thing as red-tagging but that's not stopping Baguio from penalizing the practice.
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| https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2014358/baguio-to-penalize-red-tagging |
Red-tagging and other forms of intimidation will soon be punishable offenses in Baguio City, following the passage of a measure aimed at protecting activists from harassment and vilification by law enforcement and government officials.
The proposed ordinance was approved on Monday during the regular session of the city council, just ahead of Tuesday’s Human Rights Day celebration.
It was transmitted to Mayor Benjamin Magalong for signing for the measure to become a local law.
Magalong, who was expected to sign the measure, was himself a victim of Red-tagging by a former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict official after the mayor ordered the removal of posters labeling student activists as terrorists.
Passed with 11 affirmative votes and three abstentions, the measure titled “Human Rights Defenders Ordinance” is designed to shield activists from threats, defamation and harassment.
It includes penalties for public officials and state agents who engage in Red-tagging and mechanisms for redress.
The measure underwent a year of public hearings and rigorous deliberation. Despite opposition from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police that argued that existing human rights policies were sufficient, Councilors Peter Fianza, Jose Molintas, Arthur Allad-iw and Fred Bagbagen successfully pushed for its enactment.Romel Daguimol, regional director of the Commission on Human Rights in the Cordillera, lauded the ordinance as a “model legislation” for other local governments.
He emphasized its significance by pointing out its inclusion of a “redress mechanism” for victims of Red-tagging and harassment.
Under Section 39, any public authority found guilty of Red-tagging must immediately rectify or expunge their statements.
Failure to comply may result in administrative and criminal charges. Violators may also face fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000.
The measure enumerates 19 rights for activists, including protection against vilification and the right to advocate for human rights.
It also guarantees legal protection for state employees who refuse orders to participate in acts that violate human rights.
Red-tagging, as defined by the ordinance, includes labeling individuals or organizations as communists, subversives, or terrorists.
The definition covers acts, such as tagging groups during school-led activities, spreading defamatory content on social media and government-sanctioned vilification campaigns.
The ordinance aligns with the Supreme Court’s recent recognition of Red-tagging as a form of harassment and intimidation.
In a May 2023 decision granting a writ of amparo to a former Bayan Muna representative, the high court declared that Red-tagging could lead to surveillance, harassment, and, in extreme cases, violence.
In his keynote speech during the Human Rights Day program here on Monday, Allad-iw noted that the proposed local law is rooted in the community’s long struggle against vilification.
We will have to see how this plays out. The PNP and AFP are very much fond of red-tagging. They almost always retract their statements but by that time the damage is done. Why not have the violator pay the victim for the damage caused? Having the statements rectified or redacted doesn't seem like much of a redress.
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