New york: A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Friday announced that the organization is prepared to engage with the international community and Filipinos living abroad on essential topics such as peace, security, democracy, and development.
According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., the executive director of NTF-ELCAC, emphasized the importance of addressing these issues in a world where terrorism, violent extremism, and online radicalization easily transcend borders. He stated that remaining silent on these matters is not an option, highlighting the participation of a Philippine delegation at the fourth high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies at the United Nations in New York earlier this week.
The conference addressed pressing concerns, including transnational terrorist networks, illicit financing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, online influence, and community resilience. Torres described these as 'shared challenges' that require a collective response. A significant aspect of the visit was engaging with the Filipino community in New York, where more than 50 community leaders and representatives gathered at the Philippine Consulate General Office. Discussions covered the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development, the Barangay Development Program, the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, the Amnesty Program, and the crucial role of overseas Filipinos in promoting peace, good governance, and community resilience.
During the forum, a youth leader inquired about how the Filipino community could help prevent recruitment and radicalization. The delegation's response emphasized the need to strengthen youth engagement, support constructive organizations, and encourage young people to participate in civic life. Torres asserted that activism is not the enemy but rather a vital component of democracy.
Despite the positive outcomes of the meeting, Torres noted that some groups attempted to misrepresent the purpose of the engagement, labeling governmental explanations of peace programs as propaganda and community inquiries about recruitment as red-tagging. He argued that dialogue should not be feared and that Filipinos abroad deserve direct communication with their government, the opportunity to ask challenging questions, and the ability to make informed decisions.
Torres concluded by stating that NTF-ELCAC is committed to protecting democratic spaces while confronting recruitment into armed violence, terror-grooming, coercion, and the misuse of democratic freedoms to sustain violent extremism.
