Public outcry mounts against call to abolish NTF-Elcac
Several civilian supporters of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) expressed their concern against the recommendation of a United Nations (UN) rapporteur who recommended the abolition of the anti-terrorist agency.
Enrique Manalastas, father of Jhed Tamano, took to social media to express his dismay over the scathing remark of Special Rapporteur Ian Fry when he called to abolish the NTF-Elcac.
“Just because you represent the UN does not mean you have all the facts right. Maybe Mr. (Ian) Fry, try talking to the parents of those environmental defenders, I will personally lecture you on what really is happening,” Manalastas commented to a post published at the NTF-Elcac’s official Facebook account.
Fry’s remarks drew attention, which Manalastas said appeared to be a disconnect between what he was believing and what is going on the ground.
At the center of this controversy is Fry’s portrayal of events involving environmental defenders, which Manalastas has vehemently contested.
Manalastas said he and his wife have been moving “heaven and earth” to bring back their daughter home from the hands of communist front organizations (CFOs) that recruited her.
Jhed and self-confessed New People’s Army (NPA) member Jonila Castro are facing perjury case after recanting their sworn statements following their surrender last September to the military.
Manalastas’ remarks underscored the importance of direct engagement with the affected families and communities, suggesting that firsthand accounts might provide a different perspective from what has been presented by the UN rapporteur.
Public uproar
Fry’s controversial statement also did not escape public condemnation as netizens have come forward to voice their disagreement with the proposed disbandment of the task force.
Reacting to the post, netizen Daniel dela Cruz wrote: “UNSR seemed bias by ignoring the NTF-Elcac and his visit is favorable to CPP NPA operatives who are in disguise as environmental human rights activists.”
Another one, Kyle Wandula, stated: “NTF ELCAC has been very effective that is why the leftist group are employing all their available resources and influencers.”
Pedro Cañas Flores-Serrano, another commenter, said: “We don’t owe this devious mouthpiece, nor any of the foreign entities, an explanation on how we run our country with our policies to fight and put an end to this criminal terrorist insurgency. We are not a colony!”
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