UN expert recommends disbanding of NTF-ELCAC; DOJ says 'no'

A United Nations (UN) expert on human rights and the environment on Wednesday recommended the abolishment of the government’s anti-insurgency arm, as it claimed that it is operating with “impunity”. 

UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Ian Fry said the administration should “disband” the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and develop another approach to countering the country’s insurgency issues. 

“The NTF-ELCAC, I just get a sense it has moved beyond its mandates and usefulness and needs to be disbanded outright and the government needs to develop another approach to deal with the terrorism issues,” Fry said in a media briefing. 

“But it’s clear that this unit, it is operating with impunity and therefore needs to be abandoned,” he added. 

The NTF-ELCAC took exception to Fry's call and report which the agency said is “deemed incomplete.”

“We wish to assure him that the NTF-ELCAC is a working and effective human rights mechanism founded on the principles of good and inclusive governance and we could have helped him define it in his study,” the NTF-ELCAC said in a statement.

“Clarity in context is required to enrich his report and render the same relevant,” it added.

The NTF-ELCAC also emphasized that they have invited Fry for a dialogue while he was conducting his report in the country. 

“We would consider his acceptance of this offer as an indication to truly preserve the integrity of his mandate to engage States on matters of human rights in an inclusive, impartial, and non-discriminatory manner,” it said.

Remulla: 'Wag sila makialam dito

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has also dismissed the UN expert's call. 

“Internal mechanism ‘yun sa gobyerno natin. Wag sila makikialam dito. Huwag sila makikialam kung paano natin gustong patakbuhin ang ating gobyerno,” Remulla said when asked for a comment.

(That is the internal mechanism of our government. They should not interfere. They shouldn’t meddle in how we run our government.)

“Kung gusto nila mag salita freedom of speech, sige. Pero kailangan ko ba sumunod sa kanila? Kailangan ba natin sumunod sa kanila?” he asked.

(If they want to talk about freedom of speech, fine. But do I have to follow? Do we have to follow them?)

“Ang tingin natin ito ang solusyon para matigil na ang paglaganap ng komunismo sa ating bayan, ang paghahasik ng lagim sa ating mga kapaligiran,” he added.

(We think this is the solution to end the proliferation of communism in our country and the sowing of horror around us.) —with a report from Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA Integrated News