The Manila Times
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Friday welcomed a security alert issued by the United States Embassy in Manila warning American citizens about alleged recruitment efforts by the New People’s Army (NPA). In a statement, the task force described the advisory as a “timely and significant” development, saying it marked one of the first explicit acknowledgments by US authorities that American nationals may be drawn into activities linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). The US Embassy advisory reiterated that the NPA is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by both the United States and the Philippine governments. It also warned that such groups “actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support.” NTF-ELCAC said the alert reinforced long-standing concerns about recruitment and alleged links between insurgent groups and some civil society organizations. The Embassy, in its notice, cautioned that certain non-governmental organizations may have affiliations with armed groups, though it did not name specific entities. The advisory urged Americans in the Philippines and elsewhere to comply with local laws and avoid high-risk areas, particularly rural and mountainous locations in Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar. These areas, it noted, have seen recent clashes between government forces and suspected NPA fighters. It also cited a reported April 19 incident in which two Americans were killed during an armed encounter, warning that individuals in proximity to NPA elements face risks of arrest, injury, or death. The task force expressed condolences over the deaths, including those of US nationals identified as Lyle Prijoles and Kai Dana-Rene Sorem. It also acknowledged the statement of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), which called for clarity, justice, and respect for the dignity of all lives affected. NTF-ELCAC said the incident highlights the risks posed by what it described as “deceptive recruitment and ideological manipulation,” adding that foreign nationals are not immune to being drawn into violent extremism. The group backed the Embassy’s directive for individuals to avoid affiliating with insurgent or terrorist organizations, stressing that the warning applies to both foreign nationals and Filipinos. It added that the advisory highlights what it described as the transnational dimension of the insurgency, involving recruitment and support networks beyond Philippine borders. The NTF-ELCAC called for continued vigilance and cooperation, saying recruitment into armed groups leads to violence and exploitation.
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