The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) expressed serious concern on Tuesday over recent mobilizations by supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) at the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
“While these institutions have a long tradition of activism, we must clarify that activities endorsing the NPA — a group designated as a terrorist organization — are not acts of activism, they are endorsements of violence and communist terrorism,” said Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the NTF-ELCAC.
“It is troubling that when the NTF-ELCAC raises awareness about organizations with known affiliations to the NPA, these groups often retaliate with accusations of harassment, calling for the repeal of the Anti-Terror Law and the disbandment of our task force. However, their recent actions have exposed their true allegiance as staunch supporters of communist terrorism,” Torres said.
In recent years, according to Torres, lightning rallies organized by NPA-affiliated groups had primarily taken place in high-traffic areas such as Recto, Cubao and Mendiola.
“But as their mass base dwindles and their radicalism fades, these groups have been unable to sustain such mobilizations in these locations. Instead, they have turned to UP and PUP, exploiting the leniency of these academic institutions to further their agenda and carry out activities on campus grounds,” he said.
He stressed that the claims that no student recruitment into the NPA was taking place in these universities was misleading.
“Those who claim this often lack first-hand experience or awareness of the consequences. The recent public displays of support for the NPA on the campuses of UP and PUP serve as undeniable evidence of their ongoing presence and activities,” Torres said.
He reiterated that the NTF-ELCAC is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with educational institutions to keep their students from being recruited and radicalized, while upholding academic freedom.
“At the same time, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police, we will thoroughly investigate these incidents as they are a violation of the Anti-Terror Law,” he said.
He emphasized that the government remains unwavering in its mission to protect the Filipino people from the threats posed by communist terrorists and their enablers.
“We will not falter in our commitment to safeguard our communities and ensure that our educational institutions remain free from the influence of terrorist ideologies,” he said.