NTF-ELCAC to Comelec: Suspend Kabataan proclamation, revive Gabriela DQ case

The government's anti-insurgency task force on Wednesday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the proclamation of Kabataan Partylist and revive the disqualification case against Gabriela Partylist.

For the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Comelec should take decisive action on its call amid new claims implicating the partylist groups for alleged armed insurgency and internal abuse.

The NTF-ELCAC said Jhon Isidor "Dee" Supelanas, former Kabataan spokesperson in Cebu, was killed in an armed encounter in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental last April.

Citing social media posts, public tributes, and sworn testimonies from former cadres, the NTF-ELCAC said it traced the "same trajectory" among ex-leaders of Gabriela and other allied organizations.

"His story is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a disturbing pattern where youth leaders—starting from legal organizing spaces—end up as armed combatants of the NPA," NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said.

Torres also cited recent reports of sexual assault allegations involving Kabataan leaders from 2023 to 2025. According to him, at least 20 victims have come forward.

"Kabataan's response was a generic condemnation, carefully avoiding the fact that the abusers were from within their own ranks. This silence perpetuates a culture of impunity," Torres said.

Torre pointed out that the party-list system "must never become a backdoor for political radicalization, or a shield for abuse."

The NTF-ELCAC filed cases to the Comelec against Kabataan and Gabriela in 2021 and 2019, respectively.

Responding to the anti-insurgency task force’s appeal, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said, “It depends po sa division kung ano maging recommendation.”

(It depends on the division what the recommendation would be.)

In a statement, Gabriela described the move of the NTF-ELCAC as a baseless and malicious attack, weaponizing red-tagging, disinformation, and manufactured charges to silence critics.

“The call by NTF-ELCAC Undersecretary Ernesto Torres to revive disqualification proceedings against Gabriela Women’s Party reeks of desperation,” Gabriela said.

“This is the same fabricated case that has dragged on for six years—built on lies, flawed testimonies, and coached or paid witnesses. It is long overdue for the Commission on Elections to dismiss this case once and for all,” it added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Kabataan, Gabriela, and Comelec about the NTF-ELCAC's call but they have yet to provide a statement as of posting time. — VDV/RF, GMA Integrated News