Sara issues stern warning vs communists as she takes on new role as NTF-ELCAC co-vice chair

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte issued a stern warning to communist rebels following her designation as co-vice chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC). 

“The so-called protracted war must end. And it must end now,” said Duterte during the first NTF-ELCAC executive meeting on Wednesday.

“They have infiltrated our institutions and sectors, and remained a serious threat to the well-being of the Filipino people, particularly our youth. However, the enemies are also using the same as a driver in propagating their violent ideology and systematically recruiting Filipino students,” added Duterte.

Duterte's appointment was announced by NTF-ELCAC Vice Chairperson and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año on Wednesday, saying he believes Duterte's experience as Davao City mayor will be a big help in the fight against insurgents. 

Duterte has been vocal against terrorism, stressing how some students, particularly those in Mindanao, have suffered because of violence.

“We cannot let them continue preying on the innocence and idealistic nature of the Filipino youth,” said the Vice President. 

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Duterte’s appointment was “well deserved.”

“Education is a very important part of the job of the NTF-ELCAC and her presence there is really good for us,” Remulla said in an ambush interview.

'Red-tagging activities will just get worse' 

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Thursday, however, expressed concerns over Duterte’s new post in the NTF-ELCAC.

“We fear that with Vice President Sara Duterte's appointment as the co-vice chair of the NTF-ELCAC her red-tagging activities will just get worse and will continue to undermine teachers’ freedom of association and human rights," Basilio said in a statement.

Duterte and ACT had repeatedly traded barbs over several issues, resulting in the latter filing a complaint to the International Labor Organization (ILO) regarding the alleged red-tagging statements made by the Vice President against them.

Basilio said that Duterte should instead prioritize addressing the issues hounding the education sector.

“Sa dami ng mga unresolved issues, challenges, and problems na kinakaharap ng DepEd, ang mga ito mas higit na dapat unahin ng Kalihim,” he added.

(The Secretary should prioritize the number of unresolved issues, challenges, and problems facing DepEd.) 

DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa and the Office of the Vice President's spokesperson, Atty. Reynold Munsayac, both have "no comment" on ACT's statement. —Giselle Ombay and Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News