Red-Tagging in the Philippines: Duterte Administration
By: Mary Rose Caputero and Denisse Marie Dacayanan
Red-tagging refers to people or organizations who seem to be associated with a left-wing political movement, such as the Labour Party, a trade union, or a pro-union group. Our country, despite the health crisis we are experiencing, has also been facing issues about red-tagging. Complaints are circulating all over the country about how wrong it is to red-tag, much more in the absence of evidence, it is expected or assumed that any individual or entity identified in this way has actually participated in illegal activities. Our constitution guarantees freedom of political opinion. No one will be arrested because of their political beliefs and ambitions, let alone killed. Therefore, as long as a person or organization targets a certain person or an organization targets their political beliefs and ambitions, then Communists or organizations on the communist front are not in themselves illegally identifying them wisely and defending their political beliefs in a peaceful and legal manner (Inquirer, 2020).
Last November 2020, three public hearings were held in the Senate to examine “red-tagging,” a process in which activists and opponents are labeled as communist insurgents' recruiters. Several witnesses, both underground and legal activists, spoke in defense of the NTF-ELCAC, and military officials and members of the NTF-ELCAC said that they were carrying out their duty to eliminate leftist insurgency. Long-standing allegations of a massive communist infiltration in civil society have been restated by stating that officials from parliament, members of the clergy, journalists, and even a UN Special Rapporteur all serve as communists in society. Even if the veracity of the witnesses is in question, there is no denying that red-tagging poses a major threat (Lowy Institute, 2020).
Over the course of this year, well-known activists such as Jory Porquia, Randall Echanis, Zara Alvarez, and Carlito Badion have all been murdered. Before their deaths, all of these people were labeled communist-terrorists in one form or another. “Communist-terrorist” describes someone who is a communist and a terrorist at the same time. Radical beliefs may or may not be criminal, depending on the jurisdiction. Left-leaning people in the military, to the armed forces, are assumed to be communists, and all communists are assumed to be terrorists, and thus they must be eliminated. The Philippines Commission on Human Rights voiced its concern over the latest series of murders, which follow the pattern previously established by President Duterte in which the victims are described as members of the Communist Party.
Recently, Filipina celebrity Liza Soberano was part of an online seminar held by Gabriela, an organization that works to advance women's rights, in which Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, a Spanish-language news website, issued a warning to her in regards to "abandoning her group". The message is that you'll face the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira if you don't intervene. Lapira, a Communist guerrilla, was executed by the Philippine military in 2017 as a member of the NPA. To Angel Locsin and Catriona Gray, Parlade made identical public threats. Due to the fame of his targets, Parlade's red-tagging binge attracted national attention, and protests emerged online condemning Parlade's false accusations and profane threats. He was referring to the allegations that Miss Universe was a terrorist. Despite issuing a partial apology, Parlade was nonetheless distanced from the Duterte government.
The idea of assumption of innocence, as well as the freedom of association, are all violated by red-tagging, which is comparable to guilt by association. In effect, it is a "done process" rather than a "due process," because red-tagging convicts before hearings and is based on evidence that is neither credible, competent, nor relevant, or perhaps no evidence at all.
President Duterte's recent government has increased its political assaults on critics and dissidents, labeling them as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines without any proof (CPP). The Duterte government has labeled the CPP and its military branch, the New People's Army (NPA), “terrorist organizations.” In retaliation for these coup plans, the military, and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) are adding even more red-tagged people to their enemies lists. The Duterte government is trying to eliminate mass rebellion, as well as working people, behind its political opponents.
The struggle to preserve democracy and human rights on the grounds of the CPP's political position is simply unattainable for Filipino workers, fellowmen, and youth. NTF-ELCAC assisted Duterte in his campaign in 2016 by continuing to portray him as a progressive leader. Opposition to the bloody red-tagging done by the Duterte government is possible only through breaking with the party's political stance and fighting for the working class for socialism outside of all capitalistic groups.
