United Nations rapporteur urges NTF-ELCAC abolition; government says no

MANILA, Philippines — Following her 10-day official visit to the Philippines, United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan on Friday urged the government to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), which she said will address red-tagging and allow for more inclusive peace-making platforms in the country.

“NTF-ELCAC was established about six years ago in a different context. It is outdated. It does not take into account the ongoing prospects of peace negotiations,” Khan said at a media briefing.

“The abolition will not only address some of the most critical drivers of red-tagging, but it will also allow this administration to modernize peace-building approaches based on this changing political landscape,” she added.

Even though the government insists that it has no policy that promotes red-tagging – defined as baselessly accusing individuals or groups of having ties with communist groups – Khan said that there is clear evidence that it is being practiced by state security forces as part of their counterterrorism strategy.

Khan also noted the practice of red-tagging in the context of academic freedom, citing concerns from educators that their opinions and insights are devalued when they are labeled as communists or terrorists.

She also recommended that the Marcos administration issue a clear policy, through an executive order, to discourage red-tagging, especially among government officials.

“I have recommended an executive order denouncing this practice and setting out very clear measures that can be taken to discourage, disincentivize and discipline those who violate the policy,” the UN rapporteur added.

Khan said she also encouraged the Commission on Human Rights to speed up its work that would define red-tagging and propose a legislation on the matter.

She also pushed for the passage of the law that would protect human rights defenders, the decriminalization of libel and the repeal of the anti-terrorism law.

The government has no plan yet of abolishing its anti-insurgency task force as recommended by the UN special rapporteur but assured the public that the rights of Filipinos,