Press Release - Bong Go defends NTF-ELCAC amid calls for its abolition

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his disagreement with the recommendation of United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan that the Philippine government should abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Go said that the NTF-ELCAC was established as a whole-of-government approach to address the country's various root causes of the insurgency, such as poverty, inaccessible public services and programs, and government neglect in far-flung, often conflict-ridden communities.

He argued that the recent announcement that the government and the communist rebels intend to resume peace talks does not mean government should stop efforts in addressing the root causes of these conflicts through the NTF-ELCAC.

"We all hope for peace amid these decades-long armed conflict. Umaasa tayo na magkakaroon ng sinseridad sa anumang peace talks na isinasagawa. Sa parte ng gobyerno, ipakita natin ang ating sinseridad sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatuloy at pagpapalakas pa ng mga programa sa ilalim ng NTF-ELCAC," he recommended.

"Hindi ito ang panahon para itigil ang mga programa ng NTF-ELCAC na manghihikayat sa mga rebelde na magbalik-loob. Sa halip, iyan nga ay complementary sa isinasagawang peace talks upang maipakita na committed talaga ang gobyerno na lutasin ang mga problemang pinanggalingan ng hidwaan," he said.

Go cited the achievements of the NTF-ELCAC, especially in persuading the rebels to return to the fold of the law and live peacefully with their families. He said that the task force should not waste the efforts that it started since 2018.

"Marami nang nagawang pagbabago ang NTF-ELCAC, lalo na sa paghikayat sa mga rebelde na magbalik-loob na sa pamahalaan at mamuhay ng payapa kasama ang kanilang pamilya. Huwag nating sayangin ang inumpisahan na natin noon. Sa halip, palakasin pa natin lalo," he said.

Go explained that efforts of NTF-ELCAC to resolve insurgencies must work hand in hand with any effort to pursue peace talks with rebels and "one should not replace the other."

"Kasama sa pagsulong ng kapayapaan ang pagsulong ng kaayusan at kaginhawahan sa mga pamayanan na mithiin kung bakit