Manila Bulletin
Senators seek review of NTF-ELCAC's performance, use of P19-B fund
Several lawmakers in the Philippines have filed resolutions to investigate the budget and performance of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
The resolutions were filed following allegations that the NTF-ELCAC has been red-tagging organizers of community pantries.
Senators are proposing a review to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the NTF-ELCAC's budget utilization, including its P19.1 billion allocation for 2021.
The lawmakers also suggested that these funds might be better utilized for pandemic response efforts.
The statement from NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade, who compared community pantries to 'Satan's apple,' also prompted the inquiry.
While Parlade denied linking community pantries to communist rebels, he admitted to checking the background of the organizers.
Senator Joel Villanueva stated that the resolution aims to hold NTF-ELCAC officials accountable for what he described as 'baseless red tagging.'
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Several senators and House representatives are proposing to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) due to its alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers.
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Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez described calls to defund the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) as a 'knee-jerk reaction'.
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Fifteen senators have filed Senate Resolution 709 censuring Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr., spokesperson for the anti-insurgency task force, for his "disrespectful, derogatory, and demeaning" statements against senators.
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Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez stated that defunding the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) would mean forfeiting the government's progress in combating insurgency.
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Senate Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon will file a resolution to censure National Task Force to End Local Communist Insurgency spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. for calling senators "stupid."
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