Manila:The Executive Committee of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has urged stronger inter-agency cooperation to tackle the challenges of online radicalization and terrorism financing.
According to Philippines News Agency, the call was made during the 10th NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee meeting convened by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace. The meeting focused on reviewing the task force's achievements and the implementation of the National Action Plan on Unity, Peace and Development 2025-2028.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag highlighted the need for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and National Bureau of Investigation to enhance cybersecurity measures. This comes amid reports of alleged terrorist front organizations exploiting social media platforms for fundraising and resource acquisition related to political and armed struggles.
Pamonag also emphasized the importance of developing programs with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and National Youth Commission to engage young people and protect students from campus radicalization and recruitment. He noted that since 2022, 27,897 former members and supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) have reintegrated into society, receiving PHP1 billion in assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program.
The National Amnesty Commission is processing 13,841 amnesty applications from former CPP-NPA-NDF members. Pamonag urged member-agencies to prioritize projects that support the transformation and reintegration of former members into mainstream society.
On the security front, the task force reported the neutralization of 1,355 members of communist terrorist groups this year, with 1,227 surrendering and 79 killed in military operations. Authorities seized or recovered 49 firearms and 308 anti-personnel mines and dismantled 57 New People's Army encampments.
Furthermore, the task force highlighted that 33,381 villages in 62 provinces have attained Stable Internal Peace and Security status, indicating a shift from conflict to peace, democratic governance, and development. The government has implemented PHP44.9 billion worth of community development projects in 5,639 formerly conflict-affected villages, benefiting approximately 16 million people.
The NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee stated that these efforts aim to provide safer and more developed communities across the archipelago, countering misinformation spread by the CPP-NPA-NDF.
