Manila, Jan. 5 -- The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will not allow the Abra de Ilog clash in Occidental Mindoro to be used for propaganda by supporters of communist insurgents.

"NTF-ELCAC will not allow this incident to be reduced to slogans, selective outrage or propaganda. We owe the public the full truth, especially our youth and the communities most affected," NTF-ELCAC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., said in a statement on Monday.

Torres issued the statement after some groups accused the military of violating International Humanitarian Law in the conduct of its operations against the New People's Army (NPA) on Jan. 1 after fighting reportedly led to the death of a femal...