NTF-ELCAC: Acquittal of CPP-NPA-NDF Cadres a Painful Setback, But Struggle for Justice and Peace Continues

August 18, 2025

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) expressed deep disappointment on Monday over the acquittal of five senior Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) leaders, stressing that the ruling exposes the enduring challenges of prosecuting insurgency-related crimes while reinforcing the government’s resolve to pursue justice and lasting peace.

The Regional Trial Court of Taguig City, Branch 266, acquitted Tirso Alcantara, Dionisio Almonte, Diony Borre, Renante Gamara, and Raul Razo of two counts of kidnapping with murder, citing reasonable doubt. The verdict closes a nearly two-decade-old case but reopens painful wounds for the families of victims, NTF-ELCAC said.

“This outcome underscores a painful reality: the immense difficulty of securing convictions against high-ranking cadres due to the nature of insurgency warfare and the challenges of gathering court-admissible evidence years after the fact,” said Executive Director and Usec. Ernesto C. Torres Jr., NTF-ELCAC’s National Secretariat head.

While acquitted in this case, NTF-ELCAC emphasized that the individuals were not “mere activists” as portrayed by sympathizers, but long-time operatives of a terrorist organization:

Tirso Alcantara – CPP Central Committee member and NPA military strategist linked to deadly ambushes in Southern Luzon.

Renante Gamara – Former head of the Metro Manila Party Committee, notorious for labor agitation and urban infiltration.

Diony Borre – Senior cadre close to Ka Roger Rosal, identified as a recruiter and participant in killings.

Dionisio Almonte – Veteran organizer tied to atrocities through sworn testimonies.

Raul Razo – Long-time NPA member facing multiple charges of murder and kidnapping.

“These are individuals who commanded operations that inflicted death and destruction on our people. The acquittal does not erase their documented history within the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Torres stressed.

The task force warned that the decision highlights the CPP-NPA-NDF’s systematic use of lawfare—exploiting democratic processes not to seek justice but to evade accountability.

“Testimonies from victims and former rebels remain crucial in establishing patterns of violence, but these continue to face significant hurdles in our legal system. This acquittal shows how impunity thrives when justice is delayed,” NTF-ELCAC said.

Despite the setback, Torres underscored that the ruling only strengthens the agency’s commitment to its mission:

Support law enforcement and prosecutors in building stronger cases against insurgents.

Amplify the voices of victims and survivors whose stories must inform future strategies.

Intensify implementation of the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD), focusing on poverty reduction, governance reforms, and holistic development to close the doors to communist recruitment.

“This ruling does not diminish our resolve. True peace requires accountability. Sustainable reconciliation cannot be built on impunity,” Torres declared.

For the NTF-ELCAC, the acquittal may have closed one courtroom battle, but the larger struggle remains unfinished.

“The fight is not over. We remain steadfast in ensuring that no Filipino family, youth, or community will fall prey again to the destructive manipulations of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Torres said.

The task force vowed to “write the next chapter” — one where the armed insurgency loses all fertile ground, and communities thrive in an environment of security, justice, and prosperity.