Harold Cabunoc

Nakikiramay ako sa pamilya ng nasawing tropa sa naganap na engkwentro sa Negros Occidental. Hindi namin kakalimutan ang iyong sakripisyo!

Babala lang: Ingat sa mga patrolling missions mga katropa!

Marunong talagang bumaril ang mga "researchers" at "journalists" ng CPP-NPA-NDF sa Negros.

Ang masaklap, parati tayong iniisahan. Pag me tinamaan kayong bandido sa engkwentro, sabihin ay me "War Crime" na naman kayo!

PATAS LANG DAPAT kung magkasalungat na perspektibo ang talakayan!

THE EDITOR
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Dear Editor,

We thank the Inquirer for publishing its May 29 editorial, “A Timely Call to End Red-Tagging.” We welcome the opportunity to respond and respectfully request publication of this rejoinder in the interest of fairness, balance, and the public’s right to informed discourse.
At the outset, the Philippine Government has repeatedly clarified, including before the European Union, that there is no state policy of red-tagging.

NTF-ELCAC's work is focused on exposing the recruitment, deception, and terrorist-grooming mechanisms of the CPP-NPA-NDF to protect vulnerable sectors from radicalization and violence.
The editorial unfortunately presents only one side of a complex issue.

First, discussing communist organizations, their recruitment networks, affiliations, and influence operations is not automatically red-tagging. The CPP, NPA, and NDF are real organizations that have waged armed struggle for more than five decades. Discussing documented links, organizational structures, and recruitment activities may constitute legitimate security discourse, not harassment.

Second, the editorial speaks extensively about alleged victims of red-tagging but is silent on the continuing killings perpetrated by the CPP-NPA itself. From 2021 to May 2026, at least 59 documented spy-tagging killings were recorded nationwide, including 51 in Negros Island alone. Victims included 74-year-old Leonora Anguit, barangay tanod Efren Solinap, farmer Jemar Mahusay, and former rebel Joseph Agustin. Following the April 19 Toboso encounter, at least four more civilians were reportedly killed by NPA remnants. For this reason, NTF-ELCAC publicly appealed to the Commission on Human Rights to investigate these killings with the same urgency accorded to allegations against government forces.

Human rights must be universal.

Third, the editorial cites the Toboso encounter but omits crucial facts. Authorities reported that 11 of the 19 fatalities tested positive for gunpowder residue. The eight negative results do not automatically mean they never fired weapons. Even Roger Fabillar alias “Jong,” acknowledged by the CPP itself as a slain NPA commander, reportedly tested negative. More than 20 fi****ms, explosives, ammunition, communications equipment, and other war materiel were recovered from the site.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson publicly affirmed the legitimacy of the operation and rejected attempts to portray it as a massacre.

The Municipal Council of Toboso subsequently declared the CPP-NPA-NDF persona non grata, joining other local governments in Negros that have formally rejected insurgent violence. These voices were entirely absent from the editorial.

Fourth, the editorial invokes the Supreme Court ruling on red-tagging. We fully respect the Court. However, the ruling should not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition against lawful, evidence-based discussion of CPP-NPA-NDF recruitment, affiliations, armed operations, or terrorist-grooming activities. As previously explained by the NTF-ELCAC Legal Cooperation Cluster, the Court recognized potential threats to life, liberty, and security under specific circumstances but did not abolish the State’s duty to identify and discuss genuine security threats.

Finally, the comparison between the NTF-ELCAC budget and the proposed P1,000 CHR budget in 2017 is misleading. The CHR budget was ultimately restored, while much of the NTF-ELCAC budget funds the Support to Barangay Development Program, which provides roads, electrification, water systems, health facilities, schools, and livelihood projects in conflict-affected communities. These are development investments designed to address the root causes of insurgency.

We agree that all counterinsurgency efforts must remain consistent with human rights and the rule of law. But human rights discussions must also reflect the realities of insurgent violence, civilian victims, and the voices of communities that have endured armed conflict for decades.

Truth-telling is not red-tagging. Democracy is best served when the public receives the complete picture.

Respectfully,

USEC. ERNESTO C. TORRES JR.
Executive Director
National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘭.

https://www.ntfelcac.gov.ph/post/letter-to-the-editor-and-rejoinder-to-a-timely-call-to-end-red-tagging-may-29-2026

PINARANGALAN bilang Distinguished Alumnus ng West Visayas State University si Lieutenant General Antonio Nafarrete, ang Commanding General, Philippine Army. 🫡

From the halls of learning to the service of the nation, Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete comes home to his alma mater to ignite leadership, excellence, and patriotism among tomorrow's leaders and nation-builders.

Fondly called "Toto" by those close to him, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete is a proud member of West Visayas State University Laboratory High School Class of 1986. Today, he stands as the 67th Commanding General of the Philippine Army and a full-blooded Scout Ranger. He has led troops in every major mission across the archipelago, pioneered peace-building programs that brought displaced families back to their homes, and now leads the 110,000-strong Philippine Army under a clear and powerful leadership mantra: "Our People is Our Strength."

True to WVSU's motto "Where Excellence is a Tradition", Lt. Gen. Nafarrete is transforming the Philippine Army into a formidable fighting force guided by unyielding excellence and unwavering service to the nation.

Naku, delikado ang mga toxic na misis nito; yong sobrang siga at alipin ang tingin sa mga tao!

AGREE AKO 100%! Kung nagtuturo ka, dapat mastery mo na ang subject. Ganon din sa amin sa military. Kabisado ang doctrine at gamay ang delivery ng lecture. Kahit walang powerpoint slides, kayang magturo ng subject na assigned sa kanya.

Mahirap yong patsamba magturo, puro pang-malas at pang-powertrip lang ang mastery!

Richard Feynman, the scientist who revolutionized physics by explaining the universe as if it were a game, knew that ego and difficult words often hide ignorance. The true master is not the one who memorizes complex formulas, but the one who has enough mental clarity to make themselves understood by a child.

We often try to learn by accumulating data, passively reading pages, and repeating concepts without processing them. However, real knowledge only solidifies when it goes out from us toward others; by forcing yourself to explain a topic in your own words, you destroy doubts and discover what you truly master. Sharing what you know is not just an act of generosity; it is the smartest strategy to perfect your own intellect. If you want to master an art, a profession, or a skill, dare to explain it, because in the process of enlightening others, you clear your own path.

DEFENSE ALLY ng Pilipinas ang bansang Hapon ngayon na merong magkaparehas na interes ang dalawang bansa lalo na sa pagpanatili ng malayang kalakalan na dumadaan sa international sea lanes sa Indo-Pacific.

Ang mga ugnayan sa military training ay importante sa pag develop ng credible deterrence capabilities ng ating bansa.

Japan has pledged to beef up its defense cooperation with the Philippines through the provision of military equipment and technology aimed at enhancing the Philippine forces’ capabilities.

The commitment was made after a summit meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.

Link to full story in the comments section.

"BINI-BABY" KO RAW ANG TRAINEES. Makatarungan kaya ang pangungutya na yon o trolling style ng mga produkto ng old school powertripping trainers noong unang panahon?

Saludo sa tatlong mga opisyal ng Philippine Army na nagpamalas ng outstanding accomplishments!

Sila ay nagniningning sa dinaluhang Public Affairs Course for International Students 010-2026 ng US Department of War sa Defense Information School, Fort George Meade, Maryland, USA. Ang kanilang training ay ginanap noong ika-9 ng Abril hanggang ika-20 ng Mayo taong 2026.

Ang mga astig na nagtapos ay sina:

Rank Nr 1 (Distinguished Honor Graduate) - Major Krisjuper Andreo J Punsalan ng OCC Class 42-2014;

Rank Nr 3- Major Mark Anthony G Cardinoza, PMA Class 2013;

Rank Nr 6- Major Gen Adrian M Gautane, PMA Class 2015.

Ang Public Affairs Course ay dinaluhan ng International Students from Brazil, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Ang mga graduates ng naturang kurso ay hinuhubog para maging Spokespersons o Public Affairs Officers ng mga units ng AFP.

Bigyang pugay natin ang dalawang bagong opisyal na nagtapos sa prestihiyosong paaralan sa USA na miyembro ng Class 2026.

Si 2nd Lt Renzo Almodovar ng Cavite ay nagtapos sa United States Military Academy. Anak sya ng isang Musang na si BGen Montano Almodovar ng Laguna.

Si Ensign Ryella Allyssa Flores ng Baguio City ay anak din ng isa pang Musang na si MGen Ramon Flores ng Ligao City.

Ang kanilang mga ama ay pawang mga miyembro ng PMA Class 1994.