NSC eyes recalibrating NTF-ELCAC’s efforts with CBCP

National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Saturday said the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict is mulling to recalibrate its efforts as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines's Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs joined the task force.

"We welcome the CBCP through its Episcopal Commission on Public Affairs to the NTF-ELCAC Executive Committee and we look forward to working with them in pursuing peace and development in all parts of the country, especially in conflict-affected areas," he said.

Año said the task force is open to suggestions from the Church in adopting "moral and ethical approaches in addressing communist insurgency" as mentioned by CBCP President and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David in his recent statement.

"We are opening the doors of NTF-ELCAC to the Church because it has an important role to play in ending violence and terrorism in the country," Año said.

"For more than 50 years, we have lived under the scourge of the communist armed conflict. With peace now in sight, the Church has an important role to play in ensuring peace and development in the long term," he added.

Having CBCP in the NTF-ELCAC, Año believes that concerns raised by the Church or by cause-oriented groups supported by them could be immediately addressed.

"Because of this development, the Church will have more opportunity to relay its concerns, since its mandate is to act as a liaison of the CBCP to government," he said, citing the attendance of Fr. Jerome Secillano during the NTF-ELCAC executive committee meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Malacañang on Friday.

Año reiterated that the task force's main mandate is to formulate "whole-of-nation" policies to end armed conflict in the country.

"CBCP's membership in the task force ensures a whole of nation's participation because the religious sector is an important component of the nation," he added.

Año sees that CBCP could make significant contributions to the development of areas previously under the influence of the New People's Army as well as facilitating social inclusivity in pursuit of peace progress.