Beyond Stolen Funds: NTF-ELCAC Exposes the Deeper Corruption Threat

September 03, 2025

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday issued a strong reminder as the country marks Peace Month this September: the gravest threat to peace is not only the theft of public funds, but the corruption of the Filipino mind.

According to NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr., testimonies of former rebels—especially from the youth—consistently point to systemic corruption as a grievance exploited by the CPP-NPA-NDF to lure them into the armed struggle. He warned that insurgents prey on the idealism of young Filipinos, students, and even public servants by twisting legitimate concerns into tools for recruitment.

“The most insidious form of corruption is the corruption of values that normalizes violence as a tool for change and dismisses dialogue as weakness,” Torres said.

“It hijacks passion for justice and redirects it toward destruction,” he stressed.

The task force official emphasized that schools, universities, and community spaces must remain sanctuaries of debate and civic engagement—not staging grounds for violent extremism. It cited recent narratives in Mindoro, where claims of “militarization” were used to exploit student advocates, and the disruption of the University of the Philippines General Assembly of Student Councils by groups with agendas unrelated to student welfare.

These, Torres added, are examples of how the CPP-NPA-NDF infiltrates legitimate platforms, corrupting youthful energy into destructive radicalism.

Torres clarified that NTF-ELCAC’s efforts to hold terrorist recruiters accountable must not be misconstrued as an attack on activism.

“We support constructive activism and critical thinking. These are pillars of our democracy. What we oppose is the deliberate manipulation of our youth and communities to embrace violence,” he pointed out.

This position, Torres added, aligns with international commitments, including UN protocols against the recruitment of children by armed groups.

The NTF-ELCAC urged all sectors to unite against both material and moral corruption:

Legislators: Enact stronger laws against corruption and terrorist recruitment.

Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders: Remain vigilant in safeguarding the youth and protecting democratic spaces.

All Filipinos: Build peace in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities through constructive dialogue and mutual respect.

“A nation with corrupted minds is a nation at profound risk,” Torres declared. “This Peace Month, let us work together to fortify our greatest resource: the enlightened spirit and integrity of the Filipino people.”