The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) was furious at the recommendation made by United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Irene Khan to abolish the already "outdated" anti-insurgency group.

NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. said Khan's proposal was influenced by her meeting with groups and personalities who he accused of being members or affiliates of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

"This recommendation is preceded by her series of engagements with groups that are mostly anti-government and with personalities who are affiliated with if not members, of the front organizations of the CPP-NPA-NDF," Torres said.

The former military general went on to unleash a barrage of insults directed at Khan for supposedly "undermining" and "demolishing" the NTF-ELCAC.

"We felt betrayed," Torres admitted.

Khan visited the country from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2 to assess the status of the freedom of opinion and expression here.

During her 10-day visit, Khan went on a meeting spree with members of civil society, human rights groups, media organizations, experts and academics.

Among the personalities she met were recently freed former senator Leila de Lima; community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) member Marielle Domequil, and Karapatan human rights worker Alexander Abinguna, who are all detained at the Tacloban City Jail.

Cumpio, Domequil, and Abinguna, along with two other human rights activists, were reportedly arrested on Feb. 7, 2020 in a series of police raid in Tacloban City on charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and terrorism financing.

In her exit call on Friday, Khan urged the government to abolish the NTF-ELCAC as the current administration is now focused on resuming stalled peace talks with the CPP-NPA-NDF, noting that the anti-communist task force is already "outdated."

But Torres accused Khan of "blindsiding the Filipino people" because of her call to abolish the NTF-ELCAC, a group established in 2018 by the previous administration to address communist insurgency.

"The NTF-ELCAC is, and will always be relevant. This is something that Irene Khan failed to comprehend," he said.

"We take offense in her pronouncements against the Philippine government and the NTF-ELCAC. Should we listen to anyone who betrays us, hijacks our ideas and empowers the terrorist movement? The answer is a resounding NO."

The official further stated that the NTF-ELCAC "will not allow any outsider" to dictate them how to fight their wars, and dictate upon them the means to win the peace for the Filipino people.

Since the establishment of NTF-ELCAC nearly six years ago, the CPP-NPA-NDF's strength has dwindled due to intense military operations, with only 11 "weakened" NPA guerrilla fronts remaining from 25 as of end of 2023. 

With a "strategic victory" achieved against the communist groups, the current administration shifted its focus on finalizing peace talks with the Reds. In November last year, the national government signed a joint communique with the NDF in Oslo, Norway which paved the way for the conduct of exploratory talks between the two parties.

But the group also faced controversies due to allegations that it was red-tagging individuals and groups who oppose the government. 

"We were hijacked because Irene Khan allowed herself to be used by those who want the government and the NTF-ELCAC to fail. Her call for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC is a lame attempt to [breathe] life to a dying terrorist movement," Torres said.