The Philippines is on the verge of ending its decades-long communist insurgency, the head of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has declared.
And for Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., NTF-ELCAC executive director, the task force’s assessment is based on the shrinking active guerrilla fronts and the significant progress across multiple fronts.
Torres highlighted this to the Daily Tribune’s online platform program, Straight Talk, where he explained that the much-maligned agency’s most dramatic achievement is the disappearance of active guerrilla fronts.
“From 89 active fronts in 2018, only one weakened front remains in Camarines Sur, with its imminent dismantling anticipated,” Torres explained.
Of course, the man knows what he is talking about, because he has served the country for over 30 years.
Three decades ago, he was in the Philippine Army and advanced from leading armed confrontations with the New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas to leading the nation’s peace-building initiatives as the NTF-ELCAC executive director right after his retirement.
Torres said the government’s success against armed rebels is complemented by the effective Barangay Development Program (BDP), which since 2021 has invested over P36 billion in 4,830 barangays nationwide.
Funds were infused into infrastructure such as roads, schools and health centers, access to basic services like water and electricity, and the creation of livelihood opportunities that have a direct impact on reducing Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) influence in remote communities.
Torres cited significant strides in rehabilitating and reintegrating former rebels (FRs).
Torres’ solid military career helped in the pursuit of ending the radical movement. It is marked by his swift rise through the ranks, which was attributed to his exceptional leadership and operational success.
Now, as the NTF-ELCAC director, thousands of FRs have received psychosocial support, livelihood training, and reintegration assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (ECLIP). At the same time, Proclamation 404 offers amnesty to remnants of the rebel movement.
Simultaneously, NTF-ELCAC’s counter-recruitment efforts, strengthened by international partnerships to disrupt funding streams to rebel groups, have significantly reduced their resource generation.
“The collaborative nature of this success is underscored by three national Peace Advocate Summits bringing together former high-ranking CPP-NPA cadres. These summits culminated in the formation of a national organization for former rebels dedicated to supporting the National Action Plan for Unity Peace and Development (NAP-UPD),” he said.
While the dismantling of guerrilla fronts represents a significant milestone, Torres pointed out that “NTF-ELCAC recognizes that sustaining peace requires ongoing vigilance.”
He emphasized the need for sustained effort to address the root causes of insurgency and maintain a whole-of-nation approach, focusing on socio-economic improvements and continued counter-insurgency efforts.
Addressing accusations of red-tagging, Torres affirmed the NTF-ELCAC’s commitment to informing the public about the true nature of specific organizations and individuals, upholding the right to informed choices within the bounds of freedom of expression.
NTF-ELCAC’s multifaceted approach has yielded considerable progress toward ending decades-long insurgency.
The sustained implementation of comprehensive programs and collaborations among government agencies, civil society, and international partners is key to advancing the demise of anarchy in the countryside.
“The more difficult part is sustaining the peace gains. Lasting peace is always the fruit of eternal vigilance. If we continuously address the problems that brought about the insurgency, we will finally defeat more than 50 years of armed conflict,” Torres said.
Torres stands as a pillar of transformation within the Philippine military and national peace efforts.
His career exemplifies the shift from combat operations to fostering sustainable peace and development, marking a significant transition from a military leader to a peacemaker.