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Alexis Romero - The Philippine Star
May 9, 2025 | 12:00am
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
STAR / KJ Rosales
MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration has adopted a nationwide action plan aimed at addressing the roots of the decades-old communist insurgency and achieving sustainable and inclusive peace.
The National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development 2025-2028, which enumerates strategies to further operationalize the whole-of-nation approach in resolving the causes of rebellion, was adopted through Memorandum Circular No. 83 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of President Marcos last May 2.
The plan is anchored on the National Security Policy 2023-2028 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 which highlights the administration’s thrust to pursue an “integrated, transparent, people-centered and human rights-based peace and security policy.”
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will lead the implementation of the plan. It will monitor and evaluate the implementation of programs, activities and projects under the plan and submit annual reports to the Office of the President through the Office of the Executive Secretary.
The task force will also study and, if necessary, recommend measures that would support the attainment of the plan’s objectives, including strengthening agency monitoring mechanisms, creating project management and development offices at the national level and unity, peace and development centers at the local level and establishing an overseas coordinating committee.
NTF-ELCAC will likewise engage the private sector, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to conduct monitoring and to gather feedback related to the implementation of the plan.
The NTF-ELCAC was established through Executive Order No. 70 signed by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2018.
Last March, National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said there are only 1,050 remaining New People’s Army members scattered and isolated in some parts of the country. The NPA is the armed wing of the communist rebels.
According to Malaya, the communist rebellion has declined because of the death of its leaders like Joma Sison, focused military and police operations, socioeconomic investments and localized peace engagements.
Bayan hits action plan
The government’s adoption of the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development is an attempt by President Marcos to impose fascist policies to end the local communist insurgency in the country, militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said yesterday.
Bayan president Renato Reyes said the NAP-UPD strengthens and empowers NTF-ELCAC, which cause-oriented groups are blaming for red-tagging activists and other freedom fighters.
Reyes said Memorandum Circular 83, which provides for the adoption of the NAP-UPD, actually shuts the door to peace negotiations and paves the way for what he described as failed fascist measures against people accused of being members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and NPA. – Emmanuel Tupas
