By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – 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.” (PNA)
