Government sees total victory vs Reds, end of NTF-ELCAC

MANILA, Philippines — The government expects to achieve “total victory” over communist rebels this year, which will mean the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will no longer be needed, the assistant director general of the National Security Council said yesterday.

Jonathan Malaya noted that the communists have only 11 remaining weakened guerrilla fronts left nationwide, “which was impossible five years ago.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) also said yesterday that the NTF-ELCAC would eventually be turned into a peace and security council.

DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano said this is the government’s plan for the task force, to be done in phases.

“For now, we want to get rid of guerrilla fronts and the violence we are seeing in Mindanao, but eventually we will have a peace and security council whose purpose is to maintain the peace we have achieved so far,” he said in an interview.

“From NTF-ELCAC, it will now be turned to a peace and security council when the time is right,” Clavano added.

The DOJ issued the remark in response to the recommendation of United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan to abolish the NTF-ELCAC. She made the recommendation as she concluded her 10-day visit in the Philippines.

Khan also said the government should come up with an actual policy that will prevent red-tagging against innocent civilians.

In response, Clavano said the government should first define the crime of red-tagging, saying there is no clear definition of what it really is.

“In criminal law, if we don’t know what is prohibited, this cannot turn into criminal law because that will create a chilling effect,” he said.

“So we have to first define the means and bounds of this so-called crime, this red-tag, and then turn it into law,” he added.

During her meeting with DOJ officials last month, Khan raised concerns on red-tagging and impunity of media personnel.

DOJ officials said red-tagging is not a policy of the government.