Sobejana on red-tagging issue: We are not against activists

Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said the security force has nothing against the activism amid issues of red-tagging of personalities critical of the government.

“We just wanted to emphasize that we are not against activism. We support and secure legitimate dissent but not through force of arms ‘yung gagawin,” he said on The Mangahas Interviews that aired Monday.

He made the statement when asked about the supposed less aggressive approach of AFP in identifying terrorists compared to the pronouncements of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

Sobejana pointed out that they acknowledge the exercise of democracy such as expressing grievances except when protesters are already using firearms.

“Kasama naman sa proseso ng demokrasya na puwede kang mag-air ng mga grievances mo but in a very peaceful manner,” he said.

“Huwag ‘yung magdadala ng sandata kasi kung magdala ka ng sandata ibang usapin na ‘yun,” Sobejana added.

On Sunday, nine activists were killed while six others were arrested in the simultaneous police-military operations in Calabarzon -- operations that authorities said were covered by search warrants and therefore legitimate.

Progressive groups as well as their allies in Congress have decried the deadly crackdown and call for an investigation. —KBK, GMA News