Manila: The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Sunday urged Filipinos to reject recruitment calls of the New People's Army (NPA) and shun their continued acts of violence. NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., in a statement, said there is nothing worth celebrating in a movement built on decades of violence and deception, as the insurgent group observes its 57th founding anniversary.

According to Philippines News Agency, the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), was established on March 29, 1969, by CPP founder Jose Maria Sison and former members of the Hukbalahap, led by Bernabe Buscayno. Torres emphasized that the legacy of the insurgency is marked by lost lives, broken families, and communities held hostage by intimidation and false promises.

Torres noted a "decisive and irreversible shift on the ground" against the NPA remnants as former rebels lay down their arms and reconnect with their families. Across the nation, Filipinos are choosing peace in growing numbers. Data from the National Amnesty Commission show 16,003 applications, far exceeding the initial projection of 10,000. Of these, 13,633 were actual combatants and supporters of the armed struggle under the CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front.

He highlighted that these developments are not isolated gains but 'clear, measurable signs' that the decades-long insurgency is nearing its end. Torres stated that this movement is anchored on truth, justice, and genuine opportunity. However, he cautioned against complacency, noting that the threat has evolved, particularly in the recruitment of the youth.

Torres pointed out that recruitment has not begun with armed struggle, but with manipulation through misinformation and emotional coercion. He described these as the hallmarks of terrorist grooming, reflecting a shift from traditional battlefield engagements to more insidious forms of recruitment.