RTF6-ELCAC dares senatorial bet to condemn CPP-NPA

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 29, 2021): RTF6-ELCAC dares senatorial bet to condemn CPP-NPA (By Perla Lena)

Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales (PNA File photo)

The Western Visayas Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF6-ELCAC) on Monday condemned the “malicious and irresponsible verbal tirade” of senatorial candidate Neri Colmenares against the national agency.

RTF6-ELCAC spokesperson and Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Flosemer Chris Gonzales said Colmenares has no idea on the nature and functions of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Colmenaras labeled the NTF –ELCAC as "militarista, marahas, at kontra mamamayan" (militarized, violent, and anti-people), to which Gonzales said he exactly described the nature of communist groups.

“Neri Colmenares should have known that the NTF-ELCAC is responsible for bringing much-needed infrastructure and basic social services to conflict-affected areas thru the Barangay Development Program under the guiding principles of the whole of nation approach and good governance,” Gonzales said in a statement.

He added that more than 20,000 former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) and Militia ng Bayan, mass base supporters, and members of their legal front organizations have benefited from the Task Force Balik Loob (Return to Government) program and the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, which both provide financial and livelihood aid to surrenderers.

Businesses and other industries have been advised to stop giving in to the extortion activities of the CPP-NPA.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council's Counter-Terrorism Financing is working to cut off local and foreign funding from communist terrorist groups and their affiliates.

Gonzales said the national task force was established to put an end to the insurgency by addressing the root causes.

“The statements of Neri Colmenares are nothing more than the standard propaganda attack lines of groups that have been established to perpetually criticize and malign the government. However, the gains made by the NTF-ELCAC on the war for peace speak for themselves,” Gonzales added.

Gonzales challenged the sincerity of Colmenares, who claimed to aspire peace for the country, by condemning the atrocities of the CPP-NPA.

He also expressed appreciation to Vice President Leni Robredo for affirming the vital role of the NTF-ELCAC, which was created via Executive Order No. 70 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 2018.

“At least, there is no more need for us to sit down in a dialogue because you realized that the NTF-ELCAC is indeed a whole of nation approach that addresses the root causes of the communist insurgency,” Gonzales said.

He added, though, that Robredo's statement can be further concretized if she condemns, in the strongest words possible, all the atrocities committed by the CPP-NPA and those providing them support.

The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1161231