“A CALL FOR PEACE: NTF-ELCAC URGES CANDIDATES TO REJECT ARMED STRUGGLE AHEAD OF MIDTERM ELECTIONS”

September 30, 2024

As the Philippines gears up for midterm elections, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is stepping into the spotlight, calling on political candidates to take a definitive stand against armed struggle: publicly denounce armed struggle and commit to peaceful solutions to societal problems.

During a press conference that concluded the Nationwide Peace Advocate Summit 2024, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. emphasized the importance of a shared vision for peace and development, urging candidates to reject violence and embrace dialogue.

"We are living in a democratic society, and anyone has the right to run for office as long as he is qualified," Torres said. "But it is crucial for the Filipino nation to be aware of the truth about the CPP-NPA-NDF”, a designated terrorist group under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Torres highlighted the NTF-ELCAC's ongoing awareness campaigns that expose the deceptive tactics employed by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA). He expressed hope that candidates would renounce armed struggle and embrace peaceful solutions.

"We hope that our partners and stakeholders will continue to educate the public about the CPP-NPA-NDF's manipulative tactics. We want to ensure that those who serve our country do not believe in violent ways of resolving conflict," the task force official stressed.

Torres noted that candidates should be required to renounce the armed struggle or make the commitment before they are allowed to file their candidacy. "Kung meron po sana naisusulat doon sa pinipirmahan na application that 'I Renounce Armed Struggle' in resolving the problems of our country, yan po ay malaking tulong hindi lang po sa ntf-elcac kundi sa sambayanang pilipino. And hopefully, with that, magkakaroon tayo ng mas magandang set ng liderato this coming election."

Former rebels also discussed the CPP's electoral strategy, noting that while their influence has weakened at the national level, they may still attempt to gain influence at the local level through alliances with politicians.

"The CPP-NPA's strength is diminishing," said Noel Legaspi, a former CPP/NPA cadre and a former deputy secretary and spokesman of the CPP-NPA NDF-Far South Mindanao Regional Committee. "They are no longer able to win elections at the local level, but they may try to form alliances with candidates to regain their mass base."

Alma Gabin, former Education Deputy Secretary of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee of the CPP, stressed the importance of vigilance, reminding citizens that even with reports of weakened guerilla fronts, the threat of armed conflict remains a concern.

"The CPP looks at two things in electoral struggle: objective forces and political conditions," she explained. "Even with remaining members and the upcoming elections, they can still leverage propaganda to win support and influence elections at the local level. They might even form tactical alliances. Even though they are smaller, their bargaining power remains because they still have operators who are skilled at manipulating elections."

Echoing a similar call for vigilance, Ivylyn Corpin, former Secretary of the East Front Committee, Henry Abraham Command of the Cagayan Valley Regional Party Committee, urged politicians, especially at the local level, to be alert against the CPP's attempts to infiltrate their ranks. She warned that the CPP might seek to exploit their positions for their own agenda, emphasizing the need for strong resistance against any such efforts.

"We are already seeing how they [the CPP] are maneuvering in local areas. Even where they are not directly using armed forces, we are seeing them in 'white areas' forming alliances with politicians," she said.

"Kaya ang panawagan naming mga FRs na yung nga politicians natin local o national man ay maging aware doon sa papano sila gamitin ng CPP,'' she added..

Corpin explained that the CPP's willingness to engage with politicians depends on the strength of their movement, their armed forces, their mass base, and what benefits they can gain from such alliances.

Torres reiterated the importance of voter vigilance, urging citizens to research on the candidates and their affiliations before casting their ballots.

"We are calling on voters to be vigilant and to choose candidates who are committed to peace and development," he said. "We must reject those who espouse violence and armed struggle."

The NTF-ELCAC's call for candidates to embrace peaceful solutions echoes the sentiment expressed by 62 former rebel representatives from different regions of the country who signed a declaration rejecting the armed revolution and committing to peaceful resolution to societal problems during the three-day peace summit last week.

The NTF-ELCAC’s call for candidates to renounce armed struggle is not just a demand; it is a plea for a commitment to peace and democratic principles. And as citizens prepare to cast their votes, it is imperative to support candidates who champion peace and dialogue, ensuring a brighter future for the Philippines”, Torres ended.

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NTF-ELCAC MEDIA BUREAU

Ref: Joel M. Sy Egco

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