NTF-ELCAC Hails Arrest of Southern Mindanao NPA Leader and 7 Others: A Major Victory Against the CPP-NPA-NDF

June 14, 2025

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Saturday lauded the successful joint AFP-PNP operation that led to the apprehension of top Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) leaders, including Charisse Bernadine Bañez and Louvaine Erika Espina—two prominent personalities long associated with the communist terrorist movement.

NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr. congratulated the troops of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division and the Police Regional Office 13 for their “resolute and strategic efforts in capturing these high-value targets.”

“This is not just an operational triumph—it is a vindication of the years-long whole-of-nation peace and development efforts. It proves once more the deep-rooted and dangerous links between the so-called activist groups like the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF),” Torres said.

Among those apprehended was Louvaine Erika Espina, alias “Pam,” daughter of Mrs. Luisa Espina, a brave mother and core member of the Hands Off Our Children (HOOC) movement—a group of parents whose children were lured, radicalized, and recruited into the NPA under the guise of student activism. The Espina family’s long and painful search for Louvaine ended on the very week they marked the 40th day since the death of her sister, Louise Espina, who spent her final years supporting the mission of the NTF-ELCAC and advocating for the protection of Filipino youth from communist deception.

Also arrested was Charisse Bernadine Bañez, alias “Nikki,” a former University of the Philippines Student Regent and national secretary-general of the LFS—now unmasked as the Secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) of the CPP-NPA-NDF.

“These are not mere coincidences. These are hard facts that expose the deceit of front organizations masquerading as defenders of rights while grooming our children for armed violence. The arrest of Bañez sends a powerful message: no one is above the law, and those who exploit youth and democracy for terrorism will be held accountable,” Torres added.

NTF-ELCAC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to end the local communist armed conflict and calls on the public, especially families and schools, to remain vigilant and united in defending the youth from subversive recruitment.

“This operation proves once again: the truth will always surface, and justice will always prevail,” Torres concluded.