Article by:
Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday said it is now standard practice for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to badmouth government programs designed for its former members to hide their declining influence.
NTF-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., in a statement, made this comment after the CPP has once again attempted to discredit the government’s amnesty program by labeling it an “epic fail.”
And in making this claim, Torres said the CPP highlighted its growing desperation as its members and supporters continue to choose peace over violence.
"The Amnesty Program is a voluntary, lawful process. No one is forced to apply—individuals come forward on their own, acknowledge past involvement, and submit to a verified legal process. If this program were truly a failure, there would be no applicants. Yet thousands have stepped forward nationwide, embracing peace and reintegration," he added.
Data coming from the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) showed that a total of 13,633 former members and supporters of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) have availed of the Amnesty Program within the March 13 deadline.
Unable to deny these facts, Torres said the CPP resorted to familiar tactics like delegitimizing those who choose peace and dismissing their testimonies.
"Former rebels have provided sworn statements detailing their roles within the CPP-NPA—accounts that withstand scrutiny and contradict the CPP’s narrative," he added.
Torres also said the amnesty process also reveals that more and more former CPP-NPA are choosing peace, dignity and a future with their families.
"At its core, the CPP’s criticism is a defensive reaction to its own declining influence. The Amnesty Program provides what the armed movement fears most—a lawful and dignified exit for those who no longer believe in violence," Torres said.
"What the CPP dismisses as failure is in fact a quiet victory: the steady return of Filipinos to their communities, and the government’s unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and inclusive development," he added.
Torres said the real “epic fail” is not the desire for peace but the CPP’s outdated and violent ideology.
The NTF-ELCAC official also took this opportunity to dismiss the CPP's claims that development programs like the Barangay Development Program (BDP) are tools of corruption.
"In reality, the BDP delivers tangible progress—roads, schools, water systems, electricity, and livelihoods—to long-neglected communities. These are not sources of corruption but instruments of genuine change, implemented through transparent government processes," he added. (PNA)
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