Philippines and European Union Hold 5th Subcommittee Meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights

October 07, 2025

NTF-ELCAC highlights peace, development, and rights-based governance as foundations of national security

The Philippine and European Union delegations convened the 5th Subcommittee Meeting on Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Human Rights on 06 October 2025 at the European Commission’s Albert Broschette Congress Center in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting reaffirmed both sides’ shared commitment to democracy, accountability, and human rights as key pillars of sustainable peace and development.

Among the Philippine delegates was Undersecretary Ernesto C. Torres Jr., Executive Director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), who highlighted the Philippines’ transition toward a civilian-led, development-centered approach to peacebuilding under the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD 2025–2028)—approved by the Chairperson of the NTF ELCAC, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“NTF-ELCAC is more than an institution. We are architects of peace guided by rights, respect, and reconciliation—working toward a Philippines where every voice is heard and every citizen valued,” Usec. Torres said.

In his remarks, Usec. Torres reported that through the government’s whole-of-nation approach, the country has dismantled all 89 active communist guerrilla fronts that had fueled conflict for over five decades. He emphasized that the “Build Peace Better” program aims to address the root causes of insurgency through infrastructure, livelihood, education, and social services, ensuring that peace is built on justice and inclusion rather than force.

The NTF-ELCAC, Torres added, continues to advance rights-based peacebuilding through programs such as the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which has reintegrated over 50,000 former rebels; and the Barangay Development Program (BDP), which has transformed conflict-affected areas into peaceful and thriving communities.

He also identified potential areas for EU-Philippine collaboration to sustain peace and governance reforms, including:

Development assistance for remote and conflict-affected areas;

Capacity-building for local governments and implementing agencies of the NAP-UPD;

Human rights and accountability initiatives to ensure rights-based implementation;

Localized peace engagements that strengthen reconciliation and community resilience; and

Counter-terrorism and intelligence cooperation to disrupt cross-border terror financing and recruitment.

Torres likewise encouraged the EU’s support for the proposed Terror Grooming and Radicalization Prevention Act (Senate Bill No. 1366), describing it as a vital safeguard for youth, women, and indigenous communities against terrorist exploitation and recruitment.

On the issue of “red-tagging,” Usec. Torres clarified that the Philippine government has no policy of red-tagging, stating that the NTF-ELCAC’s efforts to expose the operations of designated terrorist organizations are evidence-based and intended to protect the public from radicalization and violence.

“Truth-telling, not red-tagging, allows our people to make informed choices that protect themselves, their families, and their communities,” he said.

The 5th Subcommittee Meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation on good governance, human rights, and the rule of law, with a shared vision of fostering peace, development, and democratic resilience in the Philippines.

Ernesto C Torres Jr

Undersecretary

Executive Director, NTF ELCAC