Photo credit: Philippine Army

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has reiterated that protecting press freedom and human rights can go hand in hand with safeguarding vulnerable communities from exploitation and violence linked to the CPP-NPA-NDF.

In a statement, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto C. Torres Jr. welcomed the efforts of Irene Khan in promoting freedom of expression and media rights, while emphasizing the need for a broader understanding of the decades-long communist insurgency in the Philippines.

Torres said discussions about the country's human rights situation should not focus solely on allegations against the government. He argued that the experiences of former rebels, former underground organizers, Indigenous leaders, community members, and families affected by the insurgency should also be considered in understanding the conflict's impact on Filipino communities.

According to the task force, many individuals who once became part of the movement later left after witnessing what they described as deception, coercion, violence, and exploitation within its ranks. Their accounts, Torres said, deserve equal attention in conversations about human rights and social justice.

The NTF-ELCAC also pushed back against claims that laws targeting terrorism financing, recruitment, and the exploitation of minors are being used to suppress dissent. The agency maintained that enforcing such laws is part of the government's responsibility to protect citizens, provided that due process, evidence, and accountability remain in place.

At the same time, the task force acknowledged that government officials accused of human rights violations must be investigated and held accountable when warranted. It stressed that abuses are not government policy and should be addressed through proper legal mechanisms.

Torres further called attention to civilians, former rebels, farmers, Indigenous peoples, and community leaders who were allegedly targeted through so-called "spy-tagging" by communist insurgents. He argued that the experiences and deaths of these individuals should also form part of any comprehensive discussion on human rights.

The agency said its mission remains focused on ending armed conflict through peacebuilding initiatives, local development programs, reintegration efforts, and stronger democratic institutions. It maintained that while criticism and dissent are vital in a democracy, there must be a distinction between legitimate advocacy and actions that support or justify armed violence.

Concluding its statement, NTF-ELCAC said it remains open to dialogue with the United Nations, civil society groups, media organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders in pursuit of peace, justice, and a fuller understanding of the country's long-running insurgency.