ILOILO City – Defunding the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) would be a “big loss” to the government and people in areas affected by communist terrorist groups (CTGs), according to the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
Major General Benedict Arevalo, 3ID commander, said he witnessed “how effective the NTF-ELCAC is.”
“I wish this mechanism will continue for us to finally put an end to decades-long insurgency,” he said.
Arevalo said defunding NTF-ELCAC would also affect their projects, such as farm-to-market roads and bridges in far-flung villages.
“Through the Barangay Development Program (BDP) of the NTF-ELCAC, concerned barangays recommended projects that suit their current needs,” said Arevalo.
Several senators were pushing to defund the national anti-communist task force following its alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers.
They said the NTF-ELCAC is a “waste of money” that could be used for other projects for the poor.
Ilonggo senator Franklin Drilon said President Rodrigo Duterte has the power to realign the NTF-ELCAC budget without waiting for the 2022 budget debates.
“The President should realign the NTF-ELCAC under the 2021 GAA (General Appropriations Act) now,” he said.
Sen. Richard Gordon, meanwhile, described the profiling and red-tagging activities as “imbecilic, stupid, and shameful.”
“They have no right to do that. People are doing their business in peace. They are not violating the law. Why should they bother with this?” Gordon said.
On the other hand, the Western Visayas Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict said the abolition of NTF-ELCAC will deprive barangays cleared of CTGs with development funds worth P20 million each./PN
