THE NATIONAL Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has been excluded from the UST Political Science Department’s controversial “terror grooming” forum after some groups raised a howl over the involvement of the government body that allegedly made students uncomfortable.
The move was the result of a “lengthy discussion” among officials from the Faculty of Arts and Letters (AB) and the National Security Council (NSC) regarding the task force’s relevance in the forum, according to Political Science chair Assoc. Prof. Dennis Coronacion.
“Eventually, a mutual decision was made by the organizers to exclude NTF-ELCAC from the program, as well as the entire activity, on Nov. 6,” he told The Flame on Monday, Nov. 3.
The forum titled “Terror Grooming: The Philippine Experience” will feature experts who will present studies about the radicalization of individuals, and red-baiting or associating of activists with communists.
In the Philippines, “red-baiting” is referred to as “red-tagging.”
The NTF-ELCAC’s involvement in the event started making the rounds online through the posts of the UST chapters of Anakbayan and Kabataan Party-list. According to them, the anti-insurgency body was “not welcome” at the University because of its track record of red-baiting.
Coronacion later clarified that the department had not been informed that the government body would “play a major role” in the forum, adding that organizers had only met with representatives from the NSC and Malacañang.
“Through this research colloquium, we are hoping to influence policymakers and program implementors as they navigate the serious issue of terror grooming. By engaging the government, we are hoping to prevent the mistakes committed by the previous administration in its red-tagging activities,” Coronacion said.
Political Science Forum president Nomer Jatico explained that the NTF-ELCAC’s “minimal” role was limited to a discussion of Executive Order 70, the issuance that created the task force, and the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development.
The Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) later withdrew from the forum after drawing flak from student activists, but Coronacion said the event would push through despite the development.
“RCSSED’s reported withdrawal will not affect the holding of the event as the rest of the organizers have remained steadfast in their decision to allow the event to push through,” he said.
NTF-ELCAC was formed in 2018 to implement a “whole-of-nation approach” to end local communist and armed conflict insurgency. Officials claim that the task force’s development projects have been instrumental in weakening the influence of communist rebels.
Critics of the anti-insurgency body insist that it is a tool for suppression and human rights violations.
The forum, organized by the NSC, UST Department of Political Science, the Political Science Forum and AB will proceed as scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 6. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. F – Ariza Marie Llorca with reports from Mc Neil Zyh Serrano
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