Youth party-list urges private schools group to withdraw from anti-Red task force

Metro Manila, Philippines – A youth party-list has urged the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) to withdraw from the government’s anti-insurgency task force.

On Friday, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) said the group is now part of its executive committee to “broaden its information awareness campaign” against what it called “terror-grooming”.

In a statement, the Kabataan Party-list expressed concern over COCOPEA’s inclusion in the controversial task force that has been accused of red tagging critics including youth and student groups.

“Schools should be spaces for learning, for free expression and organization, and not repression of critical thought. Given NTF-ELCAC's history of red-tagging, will critical students opposing tuition and other school fee increase, no-permit-no-exam rules, and other repressive policies be further endangered?” Renee Louise Co, party-list spokesperson and first nominee for the 2025 midterm elections, asked.

The party-list also reaffirmed calls to abolish the task force, and urged private school administrators, teachers, and students to assert their academic freedom.

“Was this deal with the devil ever consulted with private school stakeholders? This is clear encroachment into the autonomy of private schools,” said Co.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers earlier condemned the move, saying this may lead to more surveillance and intimidation against teachers and students.

The NTF-ELCAC was formed in 2018 under then President Rodrigo Duterte.

NewsWatch Plus has reached out to COCOPEA but has yet to receive a response.

NewsWatch Plus correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report