The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take decisive measures following fresh allegations linking youth activist groups to armed insurgency and internal abuses.
In a statement issued Wednesday, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. called on the poll body to suspend the proclamation of the Kabataan party-list and to reopen long-standing disqualification proceedings against Gabriela.
The call follows the confirmed death of Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas, a former spokesperson of Kabataan in Cebu, who was killed in an armed encounter in Kabankalan last April.
“His story is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a disturbing pattern where youth leaders—starting from legal organizing spaces—end up as armed combatants of the NPA (New People’s Army),” Torres said.
The anti-communist task force also highlighted documented evidence such as social media posts, public tributes, and sworn testimonies from former members, revealing a consistent pattern among past leaders of Gabriela and its allied groups.
More concerning, Torres pointed out recent sexual assault allegations against Kabataan leaders spanning from 2023 to 2025, with at least 20 victims reportedly coming forward.
“Kabataan’s response was a generic condemnation, carefully avoiding the fact that the abusers were from within their own ranks. This silence perpetuates a culture of impunity,” the NTF-ELCAC executive added.
And while the task force values the party-list system as a means to amplify marginalized voices, it said that it “must never become a backdoor for political radicalization, or a shield for abuse.”
NTF-ELCAC called on Comelec to show political courage and perform due diligence.
“This is not suppression, but a safeguard. The bloodied trail and the survivor testimonies compel one simple act: pause, investigate, and protect the public trust,” Torres said.
He also challenged the leadership of Kabataan and Gabriela to categorically denounce the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and address exploitation within their own circles.
“If you truly serve the people, then begin by facing these hard truths. Show that your commitment to democracy includes accountability and transparency—not silence—when lives and rights are on the line,” Torres said.
