Defunding of NTF-ELCAC for red-tagging proposed
HOUSE leaders on Saturday sought a congressional investigation and defunding of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) following its alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers.
Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero stressed “no one should get away with red-tagging and unlawful profiling” while Deputy Speaker and Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. called for the reallocation of NTF-ELCAC funds to subsidy programs under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).
“In solidarity with my fellow members of Congress and to heed the call of my 1-PACMAN constituencies, I support the call for an immediate congressional investigation into how the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is using its around 16.4 billion-peso fund in the 2021 budget,” Romero explained.
“The rampant unlawful profiling and obvious red-tagging of organizers of community pantries by officials of the NTF-ELCAC are simply too wicked to be ignored by the Members of this August chamber,” Romero, president of 54-strong Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI).
Abante filed a resolution urging the government to prioritize financial assistance programs over a controversial counter-insurgency body more focused on red-tagging than its actual mandate.
He urged the House to act “to reallocate the 16 billion pesos allotted for the NTF-ELCAC’s barangay development projects to subsidy programs under the DSWD and the DoLE meant to provide financial support for unemployed Filipinos and underprivileged families.”
“Given the gravity of the problems brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in light of the inability of NTF-ELCAC to properly perform its functions, the government should prioritize efforts to provide financial assistance and other forms of support to our countrymen who have no sources of income or have limited means as a result of the pandemic,” Abante said in his resolution.
Romero also said the public appreciated the “bayanihan” in action exemplified by the community pantries that have sprung across the country as a response to unemployment and hunger amid the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.
He lamented that “attributing malice, without presenting hard evidence, sows division among Filipinos and send chilling effect to those who may want to help their fellow kababayan.”
Romero proposed that the House of Representatives starts the investigation as early as next week even before Congress resumes session on May 17.
“We want NTF-ELCAC officials to give details as to where and how the funds are being used and how their vilification tactics translate to having more communist rebels turning their backs on insurgency,” Romero pointed out.
“Should NTF-ELCAC fail to substantiate their claims and justify use of funds, Congress may realign its budget to more urgent needs,” Romero warned. “The bulk of NTF-ELCAC funds can be rechanneled to giving more direct financial aid to the unemployed workers displaced by the pandemic, upgrading our contact tracing abilities, or providing more hospital beds. Some may also go to the upgrading the capabilities of our armed forces and the Philippine Coast Guard to guard our maritime borders.”
