Private schools group COCOPEA withdraws from NTF-ELCAC

The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) has withdrawn from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to preserve academic freedom. 

In a statement Sunday, COCOPEA said the council on January 30 formally asked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to with withdraw its membership from the government’s anti-insurgency task force. 

“…COCOPEA's withdrawal from the task force is of utmost significance in preserving the essentiality of academic freedom and the vital role it plays in a democratic sociely,” the council said. 

COCOPEA decided to maintain its collaborative role outside the NTF-ELCAC following a consultation among its member associations and upon review of its core advocacies.

According to COCOPEA, the council remains steadfast in its role as an “independent” non-government organization that represents the interests and concerns of the private education sector as it seeks to promote, advance, and safeguard quality education in the country. 

“While COCOPEA respectfully withdraws membership from NTF-ELCAC, it remains one with NTF-ELCAC's mission to achieve unity, peace, security, and socioeconomic development,” it said. 

“COCOPEA will continue to represent the private education sector in dialogues with the task force on matters that align with its goals and objectives," it added.

The inclusion of COCOPEA in NTF-ELCAC was announced by the task force’s executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. in November 2024.

In a statement on Monday, Torres said the NTF-ELCAC respects the decision of COCOPEA to withdraw from its Executive Committee because the step was an “internal matter.”

Torres noted that COCOPEA will still continue its collaboration with the task force.

“This distinction is crucial—withdrawal from the Execom is one thing, but continued collaboration is another,” Torres said.

“The task force values its engagement with the private education sector, especially in advancing academic freedom, countering radicalization, and fostering an environment where education remains a pillar of peace and national development,” he added.

Despite COCOPEA’s withdrawal, Torres said the NTF-ELCAC remains firm in its campaign against violent extremism and terrorist-grooming, particularly the recruitment of young students into armed struggle. 

“We believe that schools should be centers of learning, free from exploitation by radical and extremist elements who prey on the idealism of youth to push their destructive agendas,” he said.

In a statement on Monday, Torres said the NTF-ELCAC respects the decision of COCOPEA to withdraw from its Executive Committee because the step was an “internal matter.”

Torres noted that COCOPEA will still continue its collaboration with the task force.

“This distinction is crucial—withdrawal from the Execom is one thing, but continued collaboration is another,” Torres said.

“The task force values its engagement with the private education sector, especially in advancing academic freedom, countering radicalization, and fostering an environment where education remains a pillar of peace and national development,” he added.

Despite COCOPEA’s withdrawal, Torres said the NTF-ELCAC remains firm in its campaign against violent extremism and terrorist-grooming, particularly the recruitment of young students into armed struggle. 

“We believe that schools should be centers of learning, free from exploitation by radical and extremist elements who prey on the idealism of youth to push their destructive agendas,” he said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News