The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday said it respects the decision of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the  Philippines (COCOPEA) to withdraw from its Executive Committee. NTF-ELCAC stressed that the move is an “internal matter.” 

On Sunday, the COCOPEA announced its membership withdrawal from the NTF-ELCAC to preserve academic freedom. 

“COCOPEA's withdrawal from the task force is of utmost significance in preserving the essentiality of academic freedom and the vital role it plays in a democratic society,” it said in a statement. 

Despite this, NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said the task force will continue to engage with COCOPEA. 

“While COCOPEA has opted to step back from formal membership, we acknowledge and appreciate their reaffirmed commitment to NTF-ELCAC’s mission of unity, peace,  security, and socioeconomic development,” Torres said. 

COCOPEA, on the other hand, said it remains “one with NTF-ELCAC's mission” to achieve unity, peace, security, and socioeconomic development. 

“COCOPEA will continue to represent the private education sector in dialogues with the task force on matters that align with its goals and objectives," it added.

Torres stressed the NTF-ELCAC values its engagement with the private  education sector, “especially in advancing academic freedom, countering  radicalization, and fostering an environment where education remains a pillar of  peace and national development.”

“This distinction is crucial — withdrawal from the Execom is one thing, but continued collaboration is another,” he said.

Torres also emphasized the NTF-ELCAC remains firm in its campaign against violent extremism and terrorist grooming, as well as the deceptive recruitment of young students into armed  struggle

“We believe that schools should be centers of learning, free from exploitation by radical and extremist elements who prey on the idealism of youth to push their destructive agendas,” he said.

“Moving forward, we will continue close engagements with COCOPEA and all educational institutions that share our vision of safe, secure, and development-oriented learning spaces for all Filipino students,” he added. 

In November 2024, Torres announced the inclusion of the COCOPEA to the executive committee of the NTF-ELCAC. 

The NTF-ELCAC is working on "harmonizing the delivery" of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas and vulnerable communities, particularly those communist-infiltrated populations. 

It aims to facilitate societal inclusivity and "ensure active participation of all sectors of society in the pursuit of the country’s peace agenda."