‘Marcos will never abolish NTF-ELCAC’

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos rejected fresh calls to abolish the government’s anti-insurgency task force, citing its gains in curbing the activities of communist rebels.

According to National Security Council (NSC) assistant director general Jonathan Malaya, Marcos gave this assurance during a meeting with members of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) yesterday at Malacañang.

“In response to the calls of Gabriela party-list Congresswoman Arlene Brosas asking the President to abolish the NTF-ELCAC, I am sorry to relay the bad news to them – that the President made it clear today that he will never abolish the NTF-ELCAC,” Malaya said at a press briefing.?

“The President, as chairman of the NTF-ELCAC himself, recognizes the success of the task force in decimating the terroristic activities of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front), and if I may quote the President this morning, ‘I’m encouraged by the reports, our efforts are bearing fruit, we have to continue. It has been successful and we need to continue to invest in its success,’” he added.?NTF-ELCAC was created through Executive Order No. 70 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2018.

Earlier this month, Brosas urged Marcos to abolish the NTF-ELCAC, which she described as “one of the most oppressive state apparatuses created under the Duterte regime.”

According to Malaya, there are only 1,050 remaining NPA members scattered and isolated in some parts of the country. He said the communist insurgency has declined because of the death of its leaders like Joma Sison, focused military and police operations, socioeconomic investments and localized peace engagements.

Budget increase

At the same meeting, President Marcos ordered the Department of Budget and Management to increase the budget of the Barangay Development Program (BDP) under the NTF-ELCAC.

Under the new directive, the DBM would add another P5 million to this year’s current P2.5-million allocation for each barangay that is being granted programs and projects after being cleared of insurgents or NPA presence and influence.

“We have made promises. We must live up to them. Otherwise, they would return to the NPA and say the government is worthless,” Marcos said.

The NSC noted that the National Expenditure Program allocated P10 million each in 2025 for 780 barangays cleared of NPA presence but the General Appropriations Act slashed the funding to P2.5 million per barangay.

“We need to find a way to restore the P10 million per barangay. That’s the most important to me. We’re making good progress because of the BDP. I cannot stress enough that point. The Barangay Development Program is key to the success of the entire NTF ELCAC project,” Marcos stressed. – Michael Punongbayan