Militant solons want red-taggers held liable
LAWMAKERS who belong to the militant Makabayan bloc yesterday urged President Marcos Jr. to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) after the Supreme Court held that red-baiting or tagging threatens the right to life, liberty and security of the person being accused.
“We hope that this (SC) decision will also push the government to abolish NTF-ELCAC and hold red-taggers accountable,” Gabriela party-list, which is represented by Rep. Arlene Brosas, said in a statement.
In a press conference, Brosas said the SC ruling is “good news,” and it should prompt other government agencies to support calls to “defund the NTF-ELCAC or have it abolished.”
Rep. Raoul Manuel (PL, Kabataan) said the High Court’s decision should prompt Malacañang to abolish the NTF-ELCAC, an agency which has gained notoriety for accusing activists and lawmakers who are critical of then president Rodrigo Duterte and his administration of being “communists.”
Manuel said the High Court’s ruling confirmed the Makabayan bloc’s position that the act of red-tagging “is a threat to life, especially with what the government of former President Duterte did.”
Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate told the same press conference that the Executive must now repeal Executive Order (EO) No. 70, which created the NTF-ELCAC.
“Because of this decision from the SC, our call to hold accountable people responsible for red-tagging is stronger,” he said, adding that many activists were killed because of trumped-up cases initiated by the task force.
The SC’s position on red-tagging was contained in its decision that granted the plea for a writ of amparo of red-tagged activist, former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Siegfred Deduro, whom the military has accused of being a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army.
A writ of amparo (a Spanish word that means protection) is a special writ to protect or enforce a constitutional right other than physical liberty.
The High Court found prima facie evidence to grant Deduro’s plea, saying that red-tagging, vilification, labelling, and guilt by association threatened Deduro’s and all red-tagged individual’s right to life, liberty, or security.
‘MONUMENTAL STEP’
Gabriela said the High Court’s definition of red-tagging is a “monumental step in safeguarding Filipino’s rights against the insidious tactics of red-tagging, vilification, and guilt by association.”
It added the ruling “unequivocally declares these practices as direct threats to the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and security.”
“For far too long, red-tagging has instilled a pervasive climate of fear and violence, stifling dissent and democratic discourse. We applaud the High Court’s decision as it opens the door for the issuance of writs of amparo in cases where individuals are targeted by these harmful tactics. It is a stark reminder that we need not wait for yet another case of human rights abuse to recognize the grave danger posed by these actions,” it said.
The group said the decision affirms every Filipino’s “right to express their views freely and peacefully, without fear of persecution or retaliation,” adding it will serve as “a beacon of hope for those who have been silenced or marginalized by red-tagging, which has been used by the NTF-ELCAC to harass progressive individuals and organizations.”
“However, our battle is far from over. We call upon the government to honor this decision and take proactive steps towards protecting individuals from red-tagging. This landmark judgment represents a crucial milestone in our collective struggle to create a society where activism can thrive without the looming specter of intimidation or violence,” it said.
Caritas Philippines, the social advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) lauded the SC decision and said this would help ensure the safety of Filipinos from red-tagging.
“Red-tagging has instilled fear and silenced dissent for far too long. The Supreme Court’s ruling sends a clear message that such tactics will not be tolerated,” said Caritas Philippines president Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo.
“This decision is a victory for justice and a crucial step for a safer Philippines,” he added.
Caritas Philippines vice president Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the decision will help take away the fear among those who want to advocate for peace and justice but have been silent because of fear of being red tagged.
He cited his personal experience when he was red-tagged in the past by SMNI hosts Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy.
“The Court’s decision is a vital step towards protecting Filipinos, who advocate for peace and justice,” said Alminaza, adding: “We urge those who have been red-tagged to seek support and know that they are not alone.”
STILL FEARFUL
Deduro said he still fears for his life even after the SC granted his petition for a writ of amparo.
Deduro said his fear stems from the fact that extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances are still happening in the country.
“I still fear for my life, liberty, and security amidst the continuing impunity in extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, and illegal arrested and detention on trumped up charges in our country,” Deduro said in a statement.
Still, he said he is grateful that the High Court decided in his favor after it was earlier dismissed by the Iloilo Regional Trial Court.
He added that the SC’s ruling is also a big win considering that it “clearly refutes” the NTF-ELCAC’s assertion that its practice of red-tagging activists is allegedly an exercise of “truth- tagging.”
“I hope that this landmark SC ruling will benefit thousands of other activists and political dissenters like me, who are victims of political persecution and red-tagging,” Deduro said.
RED TAGGING
Following the decision of the SC, Manuel called for the passage of House Bill No. 11152, saying red-tagging has to be “criminalized” to stop the practice and punish perpetrators.
He also said the Makabayan is preparing to file the appropriate charges against red-taggers.
Manuel lamented that red-tagging continues in public schools through the National Service Training Program (NSTP) under the Marcos administration because of the Department of Education, under Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Dapat lamang talaga magkaroon ng mekanismo na mapanagot ang mga red tagger at makita nila na hindi sila untouchable (Red-taggers really have to be made accountable to make them realize they are not untouchable),” he said. — With Gerard Naval and Ashzel Hachero