The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said press freedom and human rights can be upheld alongside stronger state efforts to protect communities from alleged abuses linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
The statement came in response to the final report of United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan, which the task force said it has yet to formally receive but acknowledged with respect.
NTF-ELCAC reiterated that freedom of expression is a core democratic principle, but cautioned against what it described as an incomplete framing of the country’s security situation when viewed solely through allegations of state repression.
It stressed that the decades-long communist armed conflict has affected a broad range of sectors, including farmers, indigenous peoples, workers, students, teachers, local officials, and families of former rebels—many of whom, it said, have experienced recruitment, intimidation, displacement, or violence.
The task force urged international observers to also engage with former CPP-NPA-NDF members and affiliated mass organizations, saying their testimonies are critical to understanding internal practices within the movement, including recruitment and alleged exploitation of vulnerable communities.
According to NTF-ELCAC, many of these former members voluntarily left the underground movement after allegedly witnessing coercion, deception, and violence, and their accounts should be given equal consideration in human rights assessments.
The agency also defended the implementation of laws against terrorism financing, recruitment of minors, extortion, and support for armed groups, saying these are legitimate functions of a democratic state when carried out with due process and evidence.
It warned, however, that labeling all enforcement actions as “weaponization of law” risks undermining victims’ access to protection and may obscure accountability for those who facilitate or normalize armed violence under civilian or civic cover.
At the same time, the task force emphasized that allegations of human rights violations by state personnel must be properly investigated and sanctioned where warranted, saying such acts are not part of official policy and are not tolerated.
NTF-ELCAC also highlighted cases of alleged “spy-tagging” attributed to CPP-NPA practices, citing more than 50 killings in Negros and other areas involving civilians, farmers, and community leaders accused of being informants.
It said these incidents must be part of any comprehensive human rights discussion and should not be excluded from international scrutiny.
Reaffirming its mandate, the task force said its approach to ending insurgency combines law enforcement with development programs, localized peace initiatives, reintegration efforts, and strengthening of democratic institutions.
It added that engagement with the United Nations, civil society groups, media, and faith-based organizations remains welcome, provided discussions are grounded in evidence and open dialogue.
“The Philippines can protect press freedom and human rights while also protecting communities from recruitment, exploitation, and violence,” the statement said.