Stop red-tagging, revive peace talks —BAYAN

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Tuesday called for a stop to the government's “reckless and indiscriminate” red-tagging and for the resumption of peace talks over armed conflict.

In a statement, Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said that red-tagging targets farmers, indigenous peoples and workers, and recently, lawyers, doctors, artists, church leaders, and journalists.

“It is time to end red-tagging and instead address the roots of the armed conflict,” Reyes said.

“We call on the people to support efforts to address the root causes of the armed conflict and push for the revival of the peace talks,” he added.

Recently, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. claimed that top universities and colleges as hotbeds of communist recruitment.

The universities have denied the allegations.

“Red-tagging now also includes academic institutions whose academic freedom is threatened by military intervention,” Reyes said.

According to Reyes, red-tagging already resulted in alleged new extortion racket where the extortionists threaten victims that their names are included on a list of supposed “communist-terrorists.”

“The red-tagging by State forces has spun out of control, targeting just about anyone that raises a critical voice against the regime or is somehow associated with schools and institutions that the regime disagrees with,” he said.

“This witch-hunt has become so brazen, totally disregarding laws, professional standards and the basic right to due process,” he added.

Red-tagging endangers people, Reyes warned. He cited the case of lawyer and a doctor who were killed in separate incidents after being subjected to red-tagging.

Reyes said the government should follow the 2008 recommendations of the UN Rapporteur Philip Alston that the government should prohibit military officers from making red-tagging statements:

"The Government should immediately direct all military officers to cease making public statements linking political or other civil society groups to those engaged in armed insurgencies.”

“Any such characterizations belong solely within the power of the civilian authorities. They must be based on transparent criteria, and conform with the human rights provisions of the Constitution and relevant treaties.”

Reyes also called on all people, professions, institutions, and democratic forces, to unite and stand against red-tagging, tyranny, and efforts to silence dissent. — Joviland Rita/BM, GMA News