Senatorial bets Ramos, Martinez debate on NTF-ELCAC functions

In the past years, the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has been an area of discussion among political leaders and groups.

During the "Tanong ng Bayan: The GMA Senatorial Face Off 2025,"  senatorial aspirants Danilo Ramos and Eric Martinez exchanged perspectives.

Danilo Ramos, who also sits as the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Chairman, said the NTF-ELCAC must be abolished as it is the country's number 1 violator.

“Dapat buwagin ang NTF-ELCAC dahil number 1 human rights violator. Pangalawa, ang mamamayang ipinaglalaban ang kanilang karapatan at kabutihan ay tinataguriang terorista,” he said.

(The NTF-ELCAC should be disbanded because it is the number 1 human rights violator. Second, the people who fight for their rights and welfare are called terrorists.)

“Katulad po ng inyong lingkod, dalawang naka-bonnet pinuntahan sa aming lugar hinahanap ako dahil ako raw ay terorista. Kaya po dapat buwagin na. Ang kinakailangan po ay igalang ang karapatang tao ng mamamayan,” he added.

(Just like me, two people wearing bonnets went to our place looking for me because they said I was a terrorist. That's why it should be abolished. What is needed is respect for the human rights of the people.)

Meanwhile, Valenzuela 2nd District Representative Eric Martinez highlighted that since 2018, the mandate of the NTF-ELCAC is clear and disband armed conflicts. The task force has dismantled 88 out of 89 armed groups in the country since 208.

“4,800+ na barangay na dating balwarte ng mga armed conflict groups na ito ang na-neutralize at wala na sa impluwensya nila. We seek peace sa kanayunan. Kapayapaan, hindi armed conflict,” he said.

(4,800+ barangays that used to be bastions of armed conflict groups have been neutralized and are no longer under their influence. We seek peace in the countryside. Peace, and not armed conflict.)

Ramos, however, defended that the group does not resolve the problem in the countryside. Instead, the unrest is intensifying due to militarization.

“Ang dapat lutasin ang ugat ng armadong labanan. Solusyonan ang kahirapan sa ating bayan, hindi militarisasyon. Pinakita po yan sa mahabang panahon. Ilang dekada na, mahigit lima pero nananatili po ‘yung root cause ng armadong labanan. Kaya po mahalaga ituloy ang peace talks between the RP at NDFP,” he added.

(The root cause of the armed conflict must be resolved. Solve the poverty in our country, not militarization. It has been seen for a long time. It's been more than five decades, but the armed conflict's root cause must remain. That is why it is important to continue the peace talks between the RP and NDFP.)

Martines then said he is also all for respecting human rights and that "red tagging should not be done indiscriminately," but noted that they should let the AFP and NTF-ELCAC talk about the best approach. — BAP, GMA Integrated News

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