NTF-Elcac exec condemns latest NPA ‘spy-tagging’ spree

MANILA, Philippines – A ranking official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) on Wednesday condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) “spy-tagging” spree against civilians in Southern Tagalog, saying this places the lives of these persons at risk.

“This is not harmless online rhetoric. This is organized psychological warfare. When individuals are publicly branded as ‘spies’ or ‘traitors’ without evidence or due process, it places their lives in clear and present danger,” NTF-Elcac executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. said in a statement.

He was referring to the “wanted posters” being circulated by the NPA labeling Gerald Mangao, Erick Simogan, and Zena Punada Candelario Segui as “taksil sa bayan” (traitors to the country) and placing a token bounty for information on their whereabouts.

The three are former rebels and members of the Buklod ng Kapayapaan Foundation, the NTF-Elcac said.

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The materials were posted on the Facebook page “Villagers Point of View 2.0” which authorities have identified as a propaganda portal aligned with the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army–National Democratic Front (CPP–NPA–NDF) network.

Torres described the posters as blatant examples of “spy-tagging”—the deliberate labeling of civilians as informants or enemies of the movement, a practice that has historically preceded harassment, abduction, and execution in areas where armed elements operate.

“We have seen this deadly pattern before. Accuse without proof. Label without process. Eliminate without remorse,” Torres said. 

The NTF-Elcac official cited as example the recent killing of Leonora “Leonor” Anguit, a 74-year-old grandmother from Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, who was executed after being accused of being a military informant.

“By the perpetrators’ own admission, she was killed on mere suspicion. No court. No proof. No defense. Just an accusation followed by a bullet,” Torres said.

According to NTF-Elcac monitoring, 26 civilians were killed in 2025 alone following spy-tagging accusations.

Many of the victims were ordinary citizens —farmers, forest guards, and community members— whose alleged “offense” was speaking against the communist terrorist group or refusing to support its violent agenda. Torres underscored what he called the “bitter irony” behind the practice.

“The same group that loudly invokes human rights, press freedom, and freedom of expression weaponizes these principles to advance its cause, while silencing and eliminating those who dare to reject its ideology. They preach rights publicly but impose death sentences privately. That is a dangerous double standard,” he said.

Torres also recalled the internal purges that scarred communities during campaigns such as Oplan Zombie, Kampanyang Ahos, and Kadena de Amor, which resulted in thousands of suspicion-driven executions.

“Today’s spy-tagging follows the same logic. History warns us what happens when propaganda becomes a trigger for violence,” he added.

By posting “wanted” materials against Mangao, Simogan, and Segui, Torres said those behind the campaign are effectively placing targets on their backs.

“This constitutes a direct threat to their lives. The State cannot ignore this,” he said.

Torres called on law enforcement and security authorities to immediately ensure the safety and protection of the individuals named, and urged civil society, media organizations, faith-based groups, and human rights advocates to denounce “spy-tagging” as a deadly practice. /jpv