Human rights advocates seek UN support for abolition of NTF-ELCAC, anti-terror law

MANILA, Philippines — A delegation of human rights defenders asked support from members of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for support in the abolition of the government’s anti-insurgency task force, National Task Force To End Local Communist Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and the controversial Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020 (ATL).

In a press release on Wednesday, the Philippine Universal Periodic Watch Review (UPR) said that the delegation will be attending a session to testify on the “continuing human rights violations” under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“We are here to inform the international community that the findings by both special rapporteur on climate change and human rights Ian Fry last November and special rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan last February that human rights violations continue are true,” Philippine UPR’s press release read, quoting Center for Environmental Concerns executive director Lia Mai Torres said.

The UPR said that the delegation will cite the findings from the visits of two UN rapporteurs in the Philippines, by which both recommended the abolition of NTF-ELCAC and the Anti-Terrorism Law. 

RELATED: United Nations rapporteur urges NTF-ELCAC abolition; government says no | UN special rapporteur proposes abolition of NTF-ELCAC

In November 2023, Fry, the former UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, first made the call to abolish the NTF-ELCAC during his visit to the country.

Fry's evaluation of the NTF-ELCAC, stating it has strayed from its initial purpose to label civilians as insurgents, received criticisms from security and justice officials, who deemed his report "incomplete."

Meanwhile, Khan, in her visit last February, also recommended the abolition of the anti-insurgency task force as it oversteps its mandate by red-tagging civillians. 

RELATED: UN rapporteur calls for abolition of NTF-ELCAC 

Since its establishment in 2018, officials from NTF-ELCAC have consistently promoted questionable narratives against human rights advocates, opposition lawmakers, journalists, teachers, lawyers and members of marginalized groups.

The organization has also been criticized for obstructing the enactment of legislation aimed at safeguarding human rights defenders, by framing activism as terrorism.

On the other hand, the ATL facing an unprecedented 37 constitutional challenges before the Supreme Court (SC), has been flagged by human rights groups and lawyers due to its loose definition of terrorism and the overbroad powers granted to its implementor, the Anti-Terrorism Council.

This was enacted during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte when the red-tagging of activists and critics in the Philippines was most intensified, according to rights group Amnesty International.

UPR also announced plans to meet with representatives from UN member states and international civil society organizations concerned about the human rights situation in the Philippines.

“The Marcos Jr. government wants to paint a rosy picture of so-called improved rhetoric and improved conditions but we are here both as victims and witnesses that anti-people policies have not changed as evidenced by the exit statements by Mr. Fry and Ms. Khan,” the delegation’s press release read, quoting Torres.

Among the members of the delegation is Rev. Glofie Baluntong from the United Methodist Church, who was one of the first individuals to be slapped with a charge under the ATL.

Philstar.com has reached out to NTF-ELCAC for comment about the matter, but has yet to send a statement, according to the agency’s spokesman Joel Egco.