By virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 70, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) was created to implement an efficient mechanism to realize the aspiration of the Filipino people to attain inclusive and sustainable peace. Following the Whole-of-Nation approach, it shifts from the traditional military-centric approach into a civilian-led approach by calling on the active participation of all stakeholders in pursuit of peace and security. The Task Force is centered on addressing the root causes of insurgency and ensuring the delivery of basic services in far-flung areas.
The NTF-ELCAC will assist National Government Agencies (NGAs) in synergizing budget allocations for conflict-affected and geographically-isolated areas. These are areas that have long been deprived of access to basic services and where development has been stalled due to the unceasing hostile presence of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs).
Being the national secretariat, the Task Force will enable the mobilization of a cohesive national effort through Barangay Development Programs. Its budget will be sourced from NGAs, earmarked for development programs identified by barangays, and implemented by the Local Government Units (LGUs). The vice chairperson of NTF-ELCAC Secretary Esperon Jr. said that the Task Force has identified 2,379 barangays that are yet to be cleared of influence of CTGs. At the same time, 1,431 barangays have been cleared and will become recipients of government interventions. Among the projects under the program are the establishment of farm-to-market roads, barangay health centers, electrification, internet connectivity, and school buildings.
Protect the Youth from Violence
Communist groups and their allied organizations continue to employ deceptive machineries in luring the youth into their senseless armed struggle. Not only are young people suffering from violence carried out by these groups, they are also susceptible victims of collateral damage such as displacement, loss of family and livelihood, indoctrination, discontinuity of education, and trauma.
Section 1 of the EO No. 70 clearly states that the government shall, among others “ensure active participation of all sectors of society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.” In line with this, the Philippine Youth Development Plan crafted by the National Youth Commission aligns the youth to become active partners in peace-building and development. It puts primacy on the peace process, security, universal access to education and economic opportunities. It also recognizes the relevance of the Sangguniang Kabataan in steering peace and development programs for the youth.`
A well-regulated peace education in vulnerable communities will also prevent the indoctrination of devious ideologies among students. Since recruitment starts in schools, it is crucial to monitor organizations that surreptitiously propagate deceptive schemes. Likewise, there is a need to inculcate nationalism and discipline through a mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.
A Call For Peace: Some Recommendations
Even as the government continuously exerts effort in pushing for peace and development, the CPP shows its insincerity through its leader Joma Sison who incessantly commands violence and deception in the guise of its long lost cause. They displayed no remorse by continuously calling on the conduct of atrocities such as the recruitment of young people; the killing of innocent civilians and government forces; and massive extortion through their so-called “Revolutionary Tax”.
The lingering communist insurgency underscores the need for a coordinating body that will synchronize government interventions on the security, legal, social protection, governance, and development aspects. Hence, I personally express my support for the institutionalization of an inter-agency body that will ensure cohesiveness and proper implementation of our national security and development policies down to the grassroots level. I also appeal to the Congress to consider the budget proposal of NTF-ELCAC, which shall pave the way for an atmosphere of development that will break the rationale for armed rebellion.
Being critical on social issues remains to be a civic responsibility, but our actions should always be anchored on the principles of peace, justice, and mutual respect. While conflict is inevitable, there are still countless ways of expressing desire for reform without resorting to violence. Bearing arms will never be the solution; let us give peace a chance.
