It has been four years since the tyrant Duterte masterminded the creation of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. Under its enforcement, government agencies were obliged to participate in Duterte’s war against the populace. From the outset, the nation has experienced nothing but ever worsening magnitudes of rabid fascism and endless human rights violations.

NTF-ELCAC directed its murderous might against the civilian population. From all corners of the country, it is haunted by the ghost of communism and just like a rabid dog, attacks anyone that crosses its path. Artists, judges, professionals, church people, national minorities, media – no one was spared from NTF-ELCAC’s accusations and attacks.

Under NTF-ELCAC’s supervision, the police and military has become more aggressive in conducting operations and attacks that brought right violation after violation and grave crimes against the people. In Bikol alone, victims of extrajudicial killings and massacre from 2018 to present has reached 160. More than 90% of them were civilians. Even the courts were used as factories of fake and illegal search and arrest warrants. Meanwhile, local government units are forced to betray their constituents and to cooperate with military operations.

NTF-ELCAC binged on ever increasing funds reaching tens of billions. Even during the pandemic, the leading anti-communist machinery retained a staggering P19.4 billion. Instead of allocating these funds for the purchase of additional vaccines and medical equipment or for the provision of free medical services, the government chose to fund NTF-ELCAC’s repression and attacks.

Now that Marcos Jr. is in position, NTF-ELCAC remains and continues. Even after public clamor for zero budget, billions of funds were still allocated to it this year. However, no matter how dark the horrors of NTF-ELCAC are, the light of the Filipino people’s struggle will always pierce through. Because NTF-ELCAC is indiscriminate in its attacks, its unveiling as an empty and useless fascist instrument accelerates. Even the most conservative sectors of society feel compelled to condemn its baseless attacks against civilians and to work for its definite demise.

NDF-Bikol unites with all democratic and progressive forces in their staunch fight against NTF-ELCAC’s machinations and the anti-people war that the ruling few wages. Just like all the fascist and bloodthirsty attempts that came before, the Filipino nation will surely defeat NTF-ELCAC.