After NTF-ELCAC remark, Robredo says military is not perfect but she appreciates their help

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she was very appreciative of the Philippine military's efforts to help her in the pandemic response as well as the institution's independence.

The vice president made the remarks after she discussed her courtesy visit with the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP), which tackled some "confidential information" that the presidential aspirant refused to disclose.

"Confidential 'yung information kaya 'di natin masisiwalat pero mahalaga na alam natin kung saan tayo as far as many things are concerned," the vice president said.

(The information is confidential that's why I can't publicly say it but it is important that we know where we are as far as many things are concerned.)

"Pero ako very appreciative sa AFP kasi kahit 'di siya perpekto until now name-maintain naman 'yung kanyang independence as an institusyon. Hindi hinahayaan na maging instrumento siya. Siyempre gaya ng sinabi ko 'di siya perpekto at ang puna at reklamo ipinahayag natin doon," she added.

(I am very appreciative of the AFP because even if it isn't perfect, until now they maintain their independence as an institution. They do not let themselves become an instrument. And of course as what I've said, they are not perfect and we already told them our criticisms and complaints.)

She also commended the AFP for helping the Office of the Vice President in delivering pandemic supplies.

"Noong pandemic grabe ang partnership natin with them. Madaming napapadala na PPE sets all over the country largely dahil sa tulong nila. Of course may private partners pero ang AFP tinutulungan tayo sa distribution sa Batanes at Tawi-Tawi,"

(During the pandemic, we had a strong partnership with them. Many PPE sets were sent all over the country largely because of their help. Of course we have private partners too but the AFP is helping us with the distribution in Batanes and Tawi-Tawi.)

Robredo had not mentioned her remarks about the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) but she previously disclosed during her courtesy visit with the military that she supports the mandate of the task force.

"I want to address the elephant in the room kasi I've been quoted so many times already that I'm for the abolition of NTF ELCAC. And I want to emphasize today that I am all for the mandate and the functions of ELCAC," she said last Friday, adding that she supports the Barangay Development Fund.

'Worrisome'

Reacting to Robredo's statement, former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares found the vice president's statements on supporting NTF-ELCAC's functions as worrisome.

He added that the task force had illegally arrested activists and red-tagged critics including Robredo.

"In this light, VP Leni’s seeming turnaround on her earlier call to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is worrisome," Colmenares said in a statement issued Saturday.

Robredo had previously pointed out that the under the task force’s lead, various agencies have ended up terrorizing the countryside, illegally arresting activists and red-tagged critics including her.

The NTF-ELCAC also played a role in the Duterte administration's tyrannical rule, adding that the task force "exacerbates the roots of armed conflict."

"May I respectfully point out to the Vice President that the problem with the NTF-ELCAC can not be merely attributed to its 'careless member' but to a systemic policy that includes harassment and attacks against anyone perceived to be left-leaning or critical of the administration," said Colmenares in another statement.

Colmenares also said Robredo can continue relations with the military without supporting the NTF-ELCAC.

"Nasa likod ni VP Leni ang taumbayan sa paghahangad ng kapayapaan. Pwede namang panatilihin niya ang magandang relasyon sa AFP nang hindi sinusuportahan ang militarista, marahas at kontra-mamamayang gawain ng NTF-ELCAC," he said.

(We are one with VP Leni in seeking peace. She can still have good relations with the AFP without supporting the militaristic, harsh, and anti-people moves of the NTF-ELCAC.)

Presidential aspirant and labor leader Leody de Guzman, meanwhile vowed that the NTF-ELCAC will be abolished.

"Sa unang araw ng ating panunungkulan, asahan natin ang agarang pagbasura sa bastardong NTF ELCAC. (On our first day as president, expect that we will scrap the NTF-ELCAC)," he said in a separate statement issued on Sunday.

De Guzman, likewise, pushed for NTF-ELCAC's budget to be used for more important sectors in the country.

"Ang pondong inilaan ng administrasyon para sa pagpapatakbo ng bastardong NTF ELCAC ay mas nararapat gamitin at ilaan para sa mga programang magsisiguro ng panlipunang hustisya at pagkakapantay-pantay katulad ng pagbibigay ng trabaho at suporta sa ating mga manggagawa, pagpapamahagi ng lupa’t suporta sa ating magsasaka at maralita, pambili ng mga moderno at maka-kalikasang pampublikong sasakyan sa ating mga tsuper at mananakay, pagsasaayos ng libre at dekalidad na edukasyon sa ating kabataan at napakarami pang iba," he pointed out.

(NTF-ELCAC's funds should be allocated for other programs that will uphold justice and equality such as giving jobs, supporting workers, giving support to farmers, purchasing environmentally friendly public transportation for our drivers and commuters, and free education to our students, among others.)

The Senate panel, led by Senator Sonny Angara, had slashed the Executive Department's proposed 2022 budget of NTF-ELCAC from P28 billion to only P4 billion as the upper chamber awaited reports from the task force on its programs. —KG, GMA News