Neophyte Sen. Robin Padilla yesterday said he is ready to work with Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa in pushing support for the programs of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Padilla said the NTF-ELCAC has good programs to address the threats from the communist rebels through development programs especially in the remote areas.
As far as Dela Rosa’s intentions to support the NTF-ELCAC are concerned, Padilla believes “we can be a ‘Batman and Robin’ tandem.”
“We have seen the positive effects of the NTF-ELCAC’s projects especially in remote barangays that are not accessible to everyone. In fact, the NTF-ELCAC in many cases has been the bridge between government and the people,” noted the neophyte lawmaker.
Padilla has earlier aired his support for institutionalizing the NTF-ELCAC due to its development projects in areas cleared of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s influence.
He also threw his full support behind localized peace talks which he said have been effective.
“I served as the face of the NTF-ELCAC having been in the Philippine Army. I talked to and welcomed surrenderees. I am in favor of this, this is one very good government program,” he said.
