The Filipino People was blindsided by UNSR Irene Khan
Updated: Feb 3
February 3, 2024
The Philippine government thru the Presidential Task Force on Media Security received UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression with the intent to showcase to her the milestones that have been attained by the government in the field of press freedom and observance of human rights.
During her exit briefing, she recommended for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC.
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.
Irene Khan's visit to the Philippines is counterproductive.
She was invited here for a different purpose.
She seem to come here with an agenda.
An agenda to undermine and demolish the NTF-ELCAC without understanding the essence of the NTF-ELCAC.
We felt betrayed.
UNSR Irene Khan blindsided the Filipino people.
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 breath life to a dying terrorist movement.
Contrary to the ill-informed opinion of Irene Khan that the NTF-ELCAC is "outdated", the NTF-ELCAC remains as the single most relevant task force in the Philippines whose accomplishments will reverberate across many generations of Filipinos and whose achievements have brought back the pride to the Filipino as a people and as a nation.
The NTF-ELCAC is, and will always be relevant. This is something that Irene Khan failed to comprehend.
The NTF-ELCAC rejects Irene Khan's call for the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC.
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.
Never again.
We will not allow any outsider to dictate us how to fight our wars and to dictate upon us the means to win the peace for our people.
We have managed to succeed in our fight against insurgency and terrorism as a nation and as a people.
This is something that cannot be hijacked nor be undermined by anyone.
The NTF-ELCAC will continue to work for peace, unity, and development within the framework of justice and the rule of law.
Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr
Executive Director, NTF-ELCAC
