Sentro Davao

Nagkaisa! Labor Coalition
03 February 2024
Ref: Atty Sonny Matula
Chairperson

Nagkaisa! to PBBM: Heed UN Special Rapporteur's Recommendation for NTF-ELCAC Dissolution

The NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition urges the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM) to critically reassess the function and operations of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

NAGKAISA's call comes in the wake of a recommendation for the dissolution of the agency made by Ms. Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

During her visit to the Philippines, Ms. Khan observed activities within the NTF-ELCAC that consistently red-tag civilians and organizations, labeling them as communists and thus raising serious human rights concerns, including violations on freedom of association.

NAGKAISA concurs with the Special Rapporteur's emphasis on the urgent need for the Philippine government to dismantle the task force and modernize its approach to peacebuilding, advocating for a more inclusive platform that avoids counterproductive tactics of communist tagging.

Ms. Khan's findings, stemming from her extensive ten-day study involving engagement with a wide range of stakeholders nationwide, underscore the critical importance of adopting policies that protect individuals and organizations against unfounded accusations and promote a more peaceful and productive path towards peace.

It can be recalled that Nagkaisa! and most of the trade unions and labor organizations have been calling for the task force’s abolition, especially during the inquiry conducted by the ILO High Level Mission in the country last year. # # #