PH Army: NTF-ELCAC plays 'imp’t role’ in campaign vs communist insurgents

An official of the Philippine Army said the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is playing an ‘“important role” in the government's efforts to curb the communist insurgency in the Philippines.

In an interview with Tuesday Niu on her Executive Summary program on Super Radyo dBB on Sunday, Col. Louie Dema-ala, Army Spokesperson, echoed the earlier sentiments made by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.  on calls to abolish the controversial agency which has been accused by several sectors and individuals of red-tagging and guilt by association.

"We have been successful in addressing the local communist armed conflict… Wala na silang capability to mount yung malalaking atrocities, kumbaga nasa survival mode. Kaya napaka-importante yung task ngayon ng NTF-ELCAC para tuloy tuloy na ma-sustain natin yung gains na nakamit natin sa pag address natin nung insurgency. Kaya napaka effective yung NTF-ELCAC against insurgency. Kaya napaka importante na ituloy natin ito,” the Army official said.

Dema-ala said the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) only have nine weakened guerilla fronts throughout the whole country. He said they no longer have capability to recruit and conduct large-scale atrocities.

He said around 80,000 members and mass supporters of the CPP-NPA have already surrendered and re-integrated into society.

The Army official stressed the importance to sustain efforts against the armed groups hiding in isolated groups in the mountains alongside local government units and the NTF-ELCAC to persuade members to surrender.

The support is nnot just monetary but also training and preparation are provided via the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

“Those who surrendered have said they were deceived and that their complaints against the government have been addressed such as basic services reaching communities, farm to market roads being built and reforms being made in the political system and the military,” said Dema-ala.—RF, GMA Inteegrated News