The Kabataan Partylist has condemned the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for allegedly harassing De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) student leader Paolo Tarra following his appearance as a guest at the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a statement, Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel said that the NTF-ELCAC’s threats of terrorism charges against Tarra are meant to intimidate him and silence his activism, including his advocacy for student rights and criticism of government policies.

“Muntik nang tanggalin si Paolo bilang estudyante sa DLSU-Dasmariñas dahil lang sa paggunita sa EDSA kasama ang iba’t ibang organisasyon ng kabataan,”  Manuel said.

“Ngayon, inaatake siya ng NTF-ELCAC dahil sinisiwalat niya ang sistematikong panunupil sa mga estudyante sa anyo ng mga tiranikong handbook, gawa-gawang kaso, at mismong panghihimasok ng militar at NTF-ELCAC. Binitbit iyan ni Paolo sa pambansang entablado sa nakaraang SONA bilang panauhin ko,” he added.

[“Tarra was almost expelled from DLSU-D just for commemorating EDSA with various youth organizations. Now, he is being attacked by the NTF-ELCAC because he is exposing the systematic oppression of students through tyrannical handbooks, fabricated cases, and the direct intervention of the military and NTF-ELCAC. He brought this up on the national stage during the recent SONA as my guest.”]

UPLB Perspective, the official student publication of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, reported that NTF-ELCAC agents visited Tarra’s family residence on Aug. 4, where they red-tagged and terror-tagged him. 

This was allegedly due to his participation in humanitarian missions and attendance as Kabataan Partylist’s guest at the SONA.

In February 2024, NTF-ELCAC agents visited Tarra’s family, requesting his personal information, including his birth certificate, photos, and diploma, according to the UPLB Perspective. 

Last May, DLSU-D’s Student Welfare and Formation Office (SWAFO) sanctioned Tarra with “non-readmission,” but the decision was withdrawn last month.

Manuel questioned whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. felt threatened by a student speaking out and if he directed the NTF-ELCAC to pursue and threaten Paolo at his home after the SONA. 

He also expressed concern that the events leading to the killing of Archimedes Trajano during Martial Law, simply for questioning the Marcoses, should not be repeated.

The Kabataan Partylist has called for the abolition of the Anti-Terror Law, arguing it is being used to silence the youth. 

They also demand the disbandment of the NTF-ELCAC, accusing it of wasting public funds by targeting patriotic students under the Terror Law.

As of publication, Paolo Tarra has not released an official statement regarding his recent run-ins with the NTF-ELCAC.