National Security Adviser and NTF ELCAC vice chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (File photo) MANILA - The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said it has more than sufficient grounds to show that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) and groups associated with it are behind crimes and atrocities committed against the Filipino people. In a statement, NTF ELCAC vice chair Hermogenes Esperon Jr. also requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to immediately conduct an investigation following pronouncements of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra that action will be taken against these groups. "In the words of the Justice Secretary himself, action will be taken if the groups associated with the CPP-NPA commit acts of violence, sow terror, and commit acts that will destabilize the public order. Hence, the NTF-ELCAC calls on the DOJ to immediately conduct an investigation on the groups associated with the CPP-NPA because we believe that we have more than sufficient bases to cause the conduct of an investigation of the crimes committed by the CPP-NPA and the groups associated with them," Esperon said. Esperon, who is also National Security Adviser, said the NTF-ELCAC is well aware of the crimes and atrocities committed by the communist terrorist and their allies through statements provided by CPP-NPA-National Democratic Front (NDF) cadres who have voluntarily surrendered to the government through its "Balik Loob" initiatives. "The NTF-ELCAC through the whole-of-nation approach anchored on good governance has successfully caused the 'Balik-Loob' of CPP-NPA-NDF cadres and front organization leaders, members, and mass base supporters. These cadres (former CPP-NPA-NDF) speak of the atrocities and the abuses committed by the CPP-NPA-NDF based on their personal knowledge," he added. Esperon said that many of these former cadres are also victims of CPP-NPA-NDF abuses and have vowed to speak the truth and to work for a just and lasting peace for the Filipino people by ending the local communist armed conflict. "Their ordeals literally translate to the undeniable fact that the CPP-NPA-NDF has committed a series and a multitude of crimes, such as, but not limited to, qualified human trafficking, rape, child abuse, murder, coercion, widespread use of anti-personnel mines, the International Humanitarian Law, desecration of IP (Indigenous Peoples) ancestral domains, forced recruitment of IP children, violation of Republic Act 11188, Republic Act 9853, extortion, arson, terrorism financing, election-related acts of violence and extortion through their permit-to-campaign and permit-to-win schemes," he added. Esperon also said that it is their collective stand the "opinion of the Secretary of Justice does not, and will not mean as an encouragement to those who intend or has already commenced any form of alliance building with the CPP-NPA-NDF and the groups associated with them in relation to the forthcoming elections." "Let it be known that while it is the Justice Secretary's opinion that showing support by any groups associated with CPP-NPA is not 'illegal', it does not mean that it is morally right for any political party or candidate to accept, or solicit such support from an organization associated with the CPP-NPA terrorist organization. Such an unfortunate alliance, should a political party or candidate subscribe to it; is the highest form of betrayal an aspiring elective public official can commit," he added. The NTF-ELCAC vice chair also said communist terrorists have no place in the hearts and minds and the communities of the God-fearing Filipino people. "We, the NTF-ELCAC, stand united with the Filipino people in our common aspiration to win the peace by ending the local communist armed conflict," Esperon said. Esperon also said he strongly condemns and opposes any form of alliance-building, collaboration, and cooperation between and among the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization and their front organizations and any political party and/or political aspirant in the May 9, 2022 elections. "Any form of alliance between groups associated with the CPP-NPA-NDF and any political party or candidate is still an alliance with the CPP-NPA-NDF terrorist organization because their front organizations form part and parcel of the so-called 'revolutionary dual tactics' by the CPP-NPA-NDF which is composed of a so-called 'protracted armed struggle' manifested in the acts of terrorism and atrocities against the Filipino people and a political struggle undertaken by the CPP-NPA-NDF through their front organizations referred to by the Justice Secretary as groups associated with the CPP-NPA," he added. The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the NDF as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as "an integral and inseparable part" of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973. (PNA) }