HRW urges Philippine gov't to stop targeting community pantry organizers

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday urged Philippine government and police officials -- as well as their supporters -- to stop the alleged red-tagging of community pantry organizers.

In a statement, HRW senior researcher Carlos Conde said the service of community pantries should be extolled and not vilified.

“HRW calls on the Philippine government, particularly the police and local government officials, and its supporters to stop targeting organizers of ‘community pantries’ or food banks that are being put up by ordinary Filipinos across the Philippines,” he said.

For HRW, these pantries have been a demonstration of compassion by Filipinos at a time when many poor families are suffering from lack of food and household resources.

The group said lack of food and household resources are due to COVID-19 and “the Duterte administration’s perceived inadequate response to the pandemic.”

“Red-tagging, which has been going on for years now, has been used almost exclusively against leftist activists and critics, often with violent results: many of those red-tagged have ended up harmed or killed,” Conde said.

“By vilifying now even ordinary Filipinos who only want to help, the government is weaponizing ‘red-tagging’ to instill fear among the general public that is increasingly agitated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. had denied that they are red-tagging community pantry organizers but admitted that background checks are being conducted.

Parlade believes the community pantry trend is being exploited by leftist groups to push their agenda to the public and undermine the government.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the police and local government officials not to interfere with the operations of community pantries.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte is supportive of the community pantry initiative.  —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News