Manila: A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Thursday reiterated the body's commitment to protecting freedom of expression, association, and human rights defenders.

According to Philippines News Agency, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., the executive director of NTF-ELCAC, emphasized in a statement that reckless accusations and harassment have no place in society and must be addressed through law and due process. This statement came in the wake of the recent inquiry by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on 'red-tagging', where the agency called for the elimination of this practice and urged all branches of government to take urgent action to protect fundamental freedoms in the country.

The CHR's findings and recommendations were derived from the National Inquiry on the Current Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines, focusing on incidents of red-tagging conducted in 2025. The report highlighted that red-tagging is not a harmless label, as it poses a real and well-founded risk of harm.

Undersecretary Torres also pointed out the importance of remembering the victims of CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front) terrorism. He called attention to the exploitation, intimidation, and violence faced by families of slain civilians, former rebels, indigenous leaders, and youth coerced into recruitment. Torres emphasized that concern for human rights must be inclusive and not selective.

The NTF-ELCAC executive stressed that discussions should encompass not only allegations against state actors but also address the killings of civilians labeled as 'spies,' the coercion of indigenous peoples, and the grooming of students into extremism. These issues, he noted, deserve recognition and justice.

Torres cautioned against vague standards that could suppress legitimate discussions on national security. He asserted that the government must be able to discuss recruitment patterns and armed group activities when supported by facts, testimonies, and judicial findings. Accountability, he stated, should be precise and not selective.

He concluded by affirming that the NTF-ELCAC remains dedicated to upholding constitutional rights while protecting communities from violence and extremist exploitation. Torres remarked that democracy is strengthened not by silencing one truth but by confronting all forms of abuse honestly, consistently, and without selective outrage.