Communist insurgents still under watch: ELCAC

From Malaya Business Insight (Jun 13, 2024): Communist insurgents still under watch: ELCAC (By Victor Reyes)

DESPITE stepped-up preparedness for external threats, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said it will remain vigilant against a resurgence of the communist movement which is considered a major internal security threat.

NTF-ELCAC executive director Ernesto Torres Jr made the statement after President Marcos Jr called on the Armed Forces for heightened preparedness for external threats amid the growing geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific regarding sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, as well as security issues around neighboring Taiwan.

The internal security threats the military is confronting are the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, and terrorist groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf, Maute Group, and the Daulah Islamiyah.

Torres, on Tuesday afternoon, said the NPA strength is down to just 1,000 members, from its peak of around 25,000 in the 1980s.

He also said nine NPA guerrilla fronts remain, from 89 in 2018 when the ELCAC was established. The nine are considered “weakened” fronts.

AFP spokeswoman Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said over a thousand communist rebels and supporters have been “neutralized” from January 1 to June 6 this year.

Of the 1,079 neutralized, 946 surrendered, 71 were apprehended, and 62 were killed during military operations, Padilla said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

Padilla also said 52 firearms and 185 anti-personnel mines were either seized by government troops or surrendered by the communist rebels in the same period.

Also, Padilla said 125 rebel camps were seized by soldiers.

Torres said the ELCAC, which includes the Armed Forces as its key members, is still focused on preventing the resurgence of the communist movement, including attacks and recruitment.

“Complacency could undermine the progress made and jeopardize the security of the area,” Torres said while stressing the need to be proactive in the campaign against the insurgents.

“Sustaining peace efforts requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of conflict and vulnerabilities,” he also said.

The task force includes other government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Education.

“By prioritizing prevention, protection, and resource management strategies, communities can mitigate the risk of recruitment and exploitation by armed groups, thereby fostering long-term peace and stability,” said Torres.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/communist-insurgents-still-under-watch-elcac/