President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that he is still confident about ending the communist insurgency in Northern Samar under his term amid declining reports.
In a chance interview in Tacloban after distributing land titles and support services, Marcos was asked about the status of his directive issued last July 2023, which aimed to eradicate the local communist armed conflict.
“Yes, I am very much so [confident]. It’s getting better and better. Hindi na gaano, hindi na masyadong magulo kagaya ng dati at meron pa ring mga encounter pero hindi na kasi—large numbers at saka yung kanilang organization ay nababaklas baklas na natin,” Marcos said.
“So, I think the progress is sufficient. And, I think we will be able to do it in the schedule that we have given ourselves,” Marcos added, without mentioning a specific timeline.
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has repeatedly earned the ire of militant groups over its alleged practice of red-tagging individuals.
However, Marcos said NTF-ELCAC will remain clearing out the remaining barangays from insurgency. (TCSP)
