Sotto nixes defunding of NTF-ELCAC amid red-tagging of community pantry organizers: Replace officials instead

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday opposed the proposal of some senators to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) amid the alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers.

“I believe the [NTF-ELCAC] program is good. Defunding it would give back the gains of [government] to the rebels,” Sotto said in a message to reporters.

“We should not be hasty in blaming a good program because of irresponsible statements from some officials. Replace the officials instead,” he added.

On Wednesday night, Senators Joel Villanueva and Sherwin Gatchalian both agreed to defund the task force and reallocate the P19 billion budget allotted to NTF-ELCAC for financial aid or “ayuda.”

Under the 2021 national budget, NTF-ELCAC was given P19 billion where P16.4 billion is allocated for the barangay development program.

Aside from having the “option” to investigate the said profiling and red-tagging of community pantry organizers in the Senate, Senator Nancy Binay also proposed proposed the review of the task force’s budget.

On Tuesday, Anna Patricia Non announced the temporary closure of the pantry in Maginhawa after the alleged profiling and red-tagging by the government. It resumed operations Wednesday.

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) posted graphics on its Facebook page apparently linking the community pantry initiatives to the communist movement.

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr.  on Tuesday denied the red-tagging of the individuals, but admitted that they are checking the background of the organizers of community pantries.

Meanwhile, the QCPD has apologized to the community pantry organizers over its social media post.

The Philippine National Police earlier said it will investigate the alleged red-tagging of organizers. — RSJ, GMA News