NTF-ELCAC slammed for recruiting Cocopea

CEBU, Philippines — Private school teachers on Tuesday scored the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for recruiting the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (Cocopea) as its private partner academic institution.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-Private Schools said Cocopea’s boarding in the NTF-ELCAC sets an alarming precedent considering the organization has 1,500 private schools under it.

“NTF-ELCAC has an undeniable track record of rampant misinformation and harassment not just against individuals but also institutions to hinder the freedom of expression of its constituents— from students and faculty to administrators and non-teaching staff—by disregarding their plea to prioritize their genuine interests,” ACT-Private Schools said in a statement.

Cocopea joined the NTF-ELCAC as part of its executive committee two weeks ago, a move that was met with opposition from groups of teachers, students and other education stakeholders.

In an interview, Cocopea chairman Fr. Albert Delvo explained that their decision to join the controversial task force was intended to help make learning conducive in rural areas.

“The NTF-ELCAC today is not the same task force people knew before. This is now about unity—genuine unity—and peace, not about a military strategy to counter insurgency or any kind of violence,” he said, stressing that the organization only agreed to join if there would be no red-baiting, respect for academic freedom and human rights.

However, ACT-Private Schools joined education stakeholders in calling on Cocopea to reconsider its decision, calling the move “unspeakable.”

“The NTF-ELCAC is not, and will never be, a credible partner of academic institutions. Even the Supreme Court and the Office of Ombudsman admonished the officials of NTF-ELCAC for threatening the lives of Filipinos through baseless red-tagging,” ACT-Private Schools said.

“In fact, the very essence of academic freedom is often devalued by the NTF-ELCAC by labeling critical students and educators as communists and terrorists. No organization that upholds the genuine interests of its stakeholders will join or support the ranks of the NTF-ELCAC,” it added.

The group said Cocopea should instead focus on working with its constituent-schools in ensuring proper learning and working conditions for students and teachers, as well as protecting their welfare and rights. — (FREEMAN)