Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) raised concerns over the billions of pesos being allocated to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP amid serious questions about their operations.
Rauf Sissay of BAYAN pointed out that instead of directing funds toward basic social services, the budget is being used for surveillance and repression of activists.
He further claimed that the allocation has become a source of corruption, while authorities remain unaccountable for human rights abuses.
The group also questioned why reports of “surrenderers” continue to be released even in areas already declared insurgency-free by the government.
In conclusion, Sissay reiterated their demand for transparency on the true purpose of the large budget given to these agencies.
