THE NATIONAL Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) announced today its significant progress in the third quarter of 2024, outlining both achievements and remaining challenges.
Among these achievements is the improvement in peace and security, with 35 provinces, 8 cities, and 3 regions now declared stable and secure.
Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr., NTF-ELCAC executive director, emphasized the task force’s advancements in various areas, including peace and security, reintegration, and socio-economic development.
He acknowledged ongoing challenges and the importance of international cooperation.
“Our achievements in peace and security, reintegration, and socio-economic development are not just numbers; they represent our unwavering dedication to transforming lives and communities across the Philippines,” said Torres.
The presentation of accomplishment reports from the 3rd Quarter Joint Regional Task Forces (JRTFs) and National Clusters revealed several key accomplishments:
- Improved Peace and Security: The NTF-ELCAC enhanced peace and security in multiple regions, recovering firearms, neutralizing key Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) figures, and dismantling several guerrilla fronts.
- Successful Reintegration: Over 45,000 former rebels have been reintegrated into society through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).
- Socio-Economic Development: More than 4,000 barangays have benefited from socio-economic projects under the Barangay Development Program.
- Declaration of Peace and Security: The NTF-ELCAC declared three additional provinces—Biliran, Rizal, and Misamis Occidental—as being in a State of Internal Peace and Security, bringing the total to 35 provinces, 8 cities, and 3 regions declared stable and secure.
- Nationwide Peace Advocate Summit: Held last September, the summit gathered 62 former CPP cadres who are now peace advocates, facilitating their reintegration into society and participation in nation-building.
Despite these successes, Torres urged vigilance in addressing ongoing challenges related to insurgency, radicalization, and misinformation.
“Let us also acknowledge that our journey is far from over. Malayo na ang ating narating, pero malayo pa ang ating tatahakin (We’ve come so far but the journey is still long),” stressed Torres.
“The fight against these groups must extend beyond our borders. We must confront and dismantle their harmful narratives abroad and collaborate with global partners to cut off any sources of funding and support from outside our borders,” he added.
National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo M. Año highlighted the critical role of international collaboration in protecting Filipino workers abroad.
He noted that the Department of Migrant Workers, led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, is actively assisting in combating exploitation, recruitment, and resource generation by CTGs in countries where the CPP-NPA-NDF is active.
Año also emphasized the need for sustained peacebuilding efforts as the CTG threat continues to decline.
“The need to invest in our peacebuilding efforts is both urgent and essential. As the CTG approaches its decline, we must maintain and strengthen our initiatives, particularly in implementing inclusive and sustainable intervention programs like the BDP. These efforts are vital in addressing the socio-political issues that CTGs have long exploited in their opposition to the government,” he said.
As vice chairperson of NTF-ELCAC, Año outlined several key priorities to further strengthen the task force’s efforts:
- Program JRTF funds within agency budgets
- Facilitate the immediate signing of Data Sharing Agreements
- Strengthen community consultations and peace dialogues
- Empower Local Government Units (LGUs)
- Sustain legal and intelligence operations
- Expand information and awareness campaigns
“Through your accomplishments, we have the proper avenue and opportunity to chart our path forward through the NTF-ELCAC roadmap,” said Año. “Given that, I encourage everyone to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop and refine our strategies, strengthen coordination, and renew our commitment to unity, peace, and development for the benefit of the entire Filipino nation.”
