NegOcc guv opposes abolishing NTF-ELCAC
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is not in favor of abolishing the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC).
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Opinion Irene Khan proposed abolishing the taskforce, calling it “outdated and does not take into account the ongoing prospects for peace negotiations.”
Khan’s two- week visit to the Philippines ended on Friday, Feb. 2.
Special rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world.
According to Lacson, he does not see any reason why the NTFELCAC should be stopped unless the government can no longer support it.
On the allegations that funding for the taskforce is not being used correctly, Lacson said the program and the funds downloaded have significantly contributed to making each locality more peaceful and progressive.
The governor pointed out that the role of local government units is to give second chances to communist insurgents who want to return to the folds of the government.
Lacson further explained that, through the local ELCAC taskforce, communities are provided with livelihood projects and financial assistance.
He added that as long as insurgent groups persist, the government should continue reaching out to them.
Last week, Khan said the abolition of the NTF- ELCAC will allow for a more inclusive peace- making platform(s) with the participation of women peacemakers and communities as a genuine wholeof-nation approach to peace.
The national government, however, rejected the UN rapporteur’s recommendation.
Assistant Director General of the National Security Council Jonathan Malaya said NTF-ELCAC has been a game- changer, and it would not be proper at this time to abolish it given two supervening events: the government’s “strategic victory” over the New People’s Army and the exploratory peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front.