MANILA: A senior official from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has announced that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed faction, the New People's Army (NPA), are on the verge of becoming an insignificant threat, as the nation begins a new year.

According to Philippines News Agency, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. stated on Wednesday that the task force's efforts have led to the dismantling of 88 out of 89 guerrilla fronts and provided aid to 4,830 geographically isolated and disadvantaged barangays through the Barangay Development Program. This has effectively eradicated communist terrorist groups in their traditional strongholds.

Torres also highlighted the task force's success in reconciling thousands of surrenderers with their families, aiding their reintegration into their communities. He emphasized that these achievements play a significant role in the country's pursuit of stable internal peace and security.

Torres stated that the CPP's armed remnants are now disconnected from the masses, discredited, and incapable of launching meaningful offensives. He affirmed that the government would persist in dismantling the CPP-NPA's financial and material support networks to ensure that extremist recruiters and propagandists are held accountable by the justice system.

Through Executive Order 70, which established the NTF-ELCAC, Torres noted that the Philippine government is addressing the root causes of insurgency with tangible solutions. Initiatives such as educational opportunities, enhanced governance, sitio electrification programs, farm-to-market roads, and livelihood training aim to uplift vulnerable communities and foster trust in the government.

By proactively addressing grievances through socio-economic programs, the government has diminished the insurgents' ability to exploit and weaponize communities, Torres said. He added that the CPP is collapsing under the weight of its hypocrisy and internal contradictions, as its leaders continue to advocate lofty ideals while engaging in actions that betray the communities they claim to uplift.