Where is the heart?
It is with utmost concern that I read the long and soulful “Letter to the Editor” of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (“A Questionable Partnership,” Sun Star, 17 November 2024).
Kej Andres, its National Chairperson, questions what is indeed questionable: The inclusion of the Council of Private Educational Associations in the Philippines (Cocopea) and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (Ceap) in the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac).
May I ask: Can the NTF-Elcac really be able to end what they call “local armed conflict” by red-tagging and terrorizing individuals (and groups) such as students, teachers, members of the academe and media, concerned citizens, medical doctors, peasants, farmers, laborers, social workers, activists, etc.? The task force has been trying to root out something from others what has been rooted and embedded right inside of them all along.
Andres wrote: “Fr. Delvo cited… that NTF-Elcac is not the same institution as before… It is definitely untrue that NTF-Elcac has changed. This task force has continuously infiltrated Non-Traditional Study Program (NTSP) classes, even in private schools, and turned them into red-tagging forums, an example of which was done at the Ateneo de Davao University last October 11.
Apart from traumatizing students, because of reports of showing bodies of slain combatants, NTF-Elcac has been directly involved in cases of violence against the youth, most notably the abduction, torture, and coercion of youth environmentalists Jher Tamano and Jonila Castro. These cases of abuse and violence continue to happen even under the current Marcos Jr. regime.”
Here’s my quick two cents’ worth on the matter: Any change in the NTF-Elcac can only be meaningful and acceptable if the whole task force itself, with its present officials and people running it, will be changed/replaced, including its name. Outside of it, there will be no real change ever, at all. Note that the NTF-Elcac was a creation of Rodrigo Duterte, among other inane creations he had during his wild term as president.
Thus, if this administration truly intends to veer away from the shadows of the ugly, crazy past, just like what it has been doing correctly in dealing with and solving the drug problem and the grabby, bully China in the West Philippine Sea, why does BBM keep the NTF-Elcac like it is a cute fur baby he has in his house? Don’t be bullheaded (awkwardly), sir.
But if this government is insistent, come hell or high water, on making the task force stay despite the loud and persistent protests, cries and clamors from different alarmed/bothered sectors to abolish it, won’t you have ears, even just a little two ears, dear BBM, to heed the pleading, grieving, wailing, reasonable voices from students, the academe and media, youth, medical doctors, social workers, environmentalists, human rights groups, the Commission on Human Rights, local officials, legislators, UN rapporteur, and many others?
If I may suggest, Mr. President: It would do you most certainly well to rather create another “similar” task force as a substitute, with the purpose of truly bringing /delivering peace and security to the country, beyond “ending” something that has ended or could have already ended had it not been for the NTF-Elcac.
May I propose that the new task force be named, NTF-Emata or National Task Force to End Military Abuses and Terroristic Activities.
But seriously, this government may name it whatever name or acronym they want to give it because (after all) the solution is not in the name or any “proposed program” (with a “budget”). It’s in the heart.
“For where your treasure (“budget”) is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21
