The National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Wednesday highlighted the significant contributions of 20 communicators, advocates, and media partners (CAMP) to a national communication initiative aimed at combating misinformation and strengthening national unity.
The inaugural CAMP awards, presented by the NTF-ELCAC’s Strategic Communications Cluster, emphasizes the crucial role of media in enhancing our country’s resilience against national security threats.
In his speech, National Security Council Secretary Eduardo Año outlined the government’s evolving national security strategy, which focuses on proactive engagement to prevent terror grooming— the process of manipulating and indoctrinating individuals into extremist groups.
Año underscored the urgent need for comprehensive education and awareness programs that equip communities with the skills to recognize and counter radicalization attempts.
“We must equip our youth, educators, and communities with the tools to identify and reject attempts at radicalization. They must understand how to spot manipulation and reject the poisonous narratives of terrorism,” he stated.
Meanwhile, NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. praised media partners and emphasized their essential role in fostering a more resilient and informed nation.
“The partnership between the government and media is indispensable in our efforts to promote peace, security, and national development,” Torres said, highlighting NTF-ELCAC’s strategic shift towards a more civilian-focused approach while emphasizing unity, peace, and development.
In his address titled “Media as Partner for Change,” Dr. Joel Sy Egco, head of the Integrated Communications Operations Center (ICOC) and Media Bureau, reiterated the increasingly important collaboration between government and media in achieving national objectives.
“This collaboration is essential for countering misinformation and empowering marginalized communities,” Egco remarked.
“The responsibility you hold as journalists, communicators, and advocates has never been more vital. Your work not only informs but transforms society by reinforcing trust within our communities,” he added.
The awards honored outstanding media professionals and organizations for their contributions to journalism and public communication.
Honorees included individuals such as Ret. Major General Edgard Arevalo and media outlets like the Philippine Daily Inquirer, ABS-CBN, and GMA Network. Government agencies such as the AFP Civil Relations Service and DILG were also recognized.
The ceremony took place during a counterterrorism communication workshop that emphasized collaboration between media and government in promoting peace and prosperity in the Philippines.
