The Danger of Red-Tagging in the Philippines
Published April 9, 1:40 AM
by Van Aaliyah T. Ponce
A LABEL THAT CAN ENDANGER YOUR LIFE
Red-tagging in the Philippines is common, even though it’s harmfully dangerous to any individual or group, that can be accused as a part of any terrorist movement– CPP-NPA-NDF. However, students, celebrities, journalists, teachers, indigenous people, farmers, and even bookstores or a Vice President can be red-tagged by state agents and by the AFP-PNP.
Van Aaliyah T. Ponce
What even is red-tagging and why is it dangerous and unconstitutional? What makes it scary that everyone who has been subjectified as terrorist cries for help and safety? Why does this act continue even with the fact that it can cause someone's death? One may ask.
Red-baiting or most commonly known as red-tagging is the act of people in a country naming an individual or group as part of a communist or terrorist organization. Any groups and individuals are subject to be “tagged” regardless of their own beliefs and stands. It is very dangerous, especially for every student activist and human rights defender, just because they are fighting for everyone's rights.
As a consequence of their hard work, without substantial proof and unlawful acts, these are considered actions that can get people arrested and even face death—especially since the Anti Terror Law was implemented—in the view of the fact that they stand with the people. At first glance, this may seem like something we may not understand, but with further understanding and critical thinking, this behavior of the state authorities is very unconstitutional.
Some people, farmers, activists, and lawyers were missing after they were “tagged” as part of the CPP-NPA-NDF. This is not new to every human defender, even the Commission of Human Rights condemn this action of the regime. The mass cries for help and safety knowing the situation, knowing that they can be tortured, kill, or arrested. Even I as an individual do not understand why this action can cause someone loss, just because they are fighting for their virtue and beliefs.
In spite of all that, these actions still continue because of how bureaucrat capitalists, landlords, bourgeois comprador, and even Imperialist U.S benefit from this. Instead of knowing or
confronting individuals or organizations with their fight they just tend to do unlawful things to benefit themselves by threatening the poor even if it's unjustifiable.