The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is calling for “balanced and vigilant” deliberation on key security-related bills pending in Congress, warning of potential risks to national security and democratic stability.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. raised concern over House Bill 1272, filed by the Makabayan bloc, which seeks to repeal the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
At the same time, he expressed support for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s proposal to disqualify party-list groups allegedly linked to terrorist organizations.
“These two proposals raise an essential question: How do we protect democracy without letting it be exploited by those who reject it?” Torres said.
Torres defended the Anti-Terror Law, saying it has not been used against peaceful dissent and is aimed at preventing attacks and radicalization. He noted that the Supreme Court had upheld the law’s constitutionality and built-in safeguards.
On Dela Rosa’s bill, Torres cited testimonies from former rebels alleging that some party-list groups act as legal fronts for the CPP-NPA-NDF.
“The party-list system should amplify the marginalized, not shield those seeking to dismantle democracy,” he said. Torres emphasized that true civic space cannot tolerate deception masquerading as representation.
He reiterated NTF-ELCAC’s commitment to protecting democratic institutions and warned against complacency. “It is our duty to ensure the law protects the people, not those who wish to harm them,” he said.