NATIONAL Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon defended the existence of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) at the heights of calls by progressive groups to revoke it.
Esperon batted for the P16.4 billion budget earmarked to uplift the living conditions of poor communities, through the Barangay Development Program, devastated by New People’s Army.
In a statement, Esperon strongly denounced the personalities that claim to be progressive and pushing for the dismantling of the NTF-ELCAC.
“In the strongest terms, I denounced the personalities that claim to be “progressive” and are calling for the dismantling of the NTF-ELCAC and the defunding of the Barangay Development Program (BDP),” Esperon said.
The statement was made by Esperon in the light of misconceptions and disinformation peddled in the social media in the aftermath of NTF-ELCAC spokesman and Southern Luzon Commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. utterance on the alleged ties of actress Liza Soberano and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray to Gabriela Womens Party.
