Manila, Dec. 29 -- The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) on Monday defended Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders in Talaingod, Davao del Norte amid criticisms in connection with the Court of Appeals (CA) ruling upholding the conviction of the so-called "Talaingod 13."

In a news release, NTF-ELCAC said it "categorically rejects and denounces the attacks" made by former Bayan Muna party-list representative Eufemia Cullamat, who questioned the alleged "criminalization" of the Talaingod 13 composed of former progressive lawmakers France Castro and Satur Ocampo, and 11 other activists.

"Cullamat has no moral ascendancy to lecture or malign indigenous communities who have consciously chosen peace, self-governanc...