Church groups call for scrutiny of P8.1B NTF-ELCAC budget

December 18, 2025 | 2:19pm

MANILA, Philippines — Caritas Philippines and the Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace have called for “serious moral scrutiny” of the proposed P8.1 billion budget for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

In a pastoral statement issued on December 16, the social action arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines raised concerns over the allocation, which is framed as a “reward” for local government units and barangays declared “cleared” of insurgency.

“Precisely because we seek genuine and lasting peace, we raise grave concern over this allocation, which is presented as a ‘reward’ for local government units and barangays declared ‘cleared’ of insurgency,” the statement read.

‘Peace is not a prize’

Caritas warned that framing development assistance as a reward risks turning public funds into instruments of political patronage rather than tools for empowerment.

“Peace is not a prize to be handed out, nor a favor to be earned. Peace is the fruit of justice,” the statement read.

“Aid becomes associated not with people’s inherent dignity and rights, but with compliance, silence, and political favor,” it added.

The group said such an approach fosters fear and dependence instead of long-term social transformation.

While acknowledging the importance of infrastructure projects such as roads and health stations, Caritas said these remain “palliatives” if the deeper causes of poverty are not addressed.

The group questioned why many farmers remain landless and why public wealth continues to be concentrated in the hands of political dynasties.

“Without confronting political dynasties, corruption, landlessness, insecure work, and weak accountability, development initiatives, no matter how well-intentioned, will not bring lasting peace,” the statement read.

Red-tagging concerns raised. Caritas also expressed concern over reports linking NTF-ELCAC to red-tagging and the harassment of “civil society actors,” stressing that public assistance and development programs should never be used as security tools that undermine democratic freedoms.

Background on NTF-ELCAC

The NTF-ELCAC was created in 2018 under the administration of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, following the termination of peace talks between the government and the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army.

Since its creation, human rights organizations and advocacy groups have repeatedly called for the task force to be defunded or abolished, citing allegations of red-tagging that have led to harassment or threats against activists, journalists, and private individuals.

Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, NTF-ELCAC received its lowest allocation yet for its Barangay Development Program, the agency’s flagship initiative.