The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the proclamation of Kabataan Partylist and to revisit the previously shelved disqualification case against Gabriela Partylist.
According to the task force, new claims have surfaced linking both groups to armed insurgency and internal misconduct. They pointed to the death of Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas—a former Kabataan spokesperson in Cebu—during an armed clash in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental this April.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. stated that Supelanas’ case follows a troubling trend: young leaders transitioning from legal activism to joining the armed New People’s Army (NPA). The task force cited similar patterns among former Gabriela and affiliated organization leaders, referencing social media posts, tributes, and sworn testimonies from former members.
The task force also raised alarms about unresolved sexual assault allegations involving Kabataan officials between 2023 and 2025. Torres claimed that over 20 victims have spoken out, criticizing Kabataan’s response as vague and non-accountable.
Torres warned that the party-list system should not serve as a gateway for radical ideologies or shelter abusive behavior.
NTF-ELCAC previously lodged legal actions against Kabataan in 2021 and Gabriela in 2019. As of this writing, Kabataan, Gabriela, and Comelec have yet to comment on the task force’s latest appeal.