Manila: The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is not engaged in red-tagging left-leaning organizations, an official of the National Security Council (NSC) said on Wednesday. The statement came after the Gabriela Women’s Party filed a formal complaint against the NTF-ELCAC before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), accusing the task force of systematic vilification and red-tagging of its party and members.
According to Philippines News Agency, Gabriela cited Comelec Resolution No. 11116 on Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 2025 midterm elections as the basis for its complaint. The group denounced the NTF-ELCAC’s alleged ‘blatant partisan activities,’ including press releases that falsely linked Rep. Arlene Brosas and the Gabriela Women’s Party to insurgent groups. The party-list claimed that the red-tagging was a ‘deliberate attempt to undermine women’s political participation and suppress our democratic right to engage in electoral politics.’
However, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya dismissed Gabriela’s claims, stating the group was “barking up the wrong tree.” He argued that it was former communist rebels who were exposing and revealing the truth about left-leaning groups. ‘They are again, as expected, assailing the integrity of the NTF-ELCAC because the task force is the instrument to destroy the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army kaya pinag-iinitan kami (they are targeting us),’ he said.
‘But we are confident what we have done, kami sa (we at the) NTF-ELCAC, we do not engage in red-tagging. It is the former rebels who are exposing and telling the truth about them,’ Malaya added. He said Gabriela’s latest accusation is part of its efforts ‘to harass and intimidate the NTF-ELCAC.’ ‘These efforts will not bear fruit because as the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) himself said very clearly this morning, the fruits of the NTF-ELCAC are very clear to see, it’s bearing fruit and government must sustain its efforts so that we can finally put an end to communist insurgency in the country,’ he said.
