Bishop David defends community pantries against red-tagging

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David on Tuesday slammed the alleged red-tagging of organizers of community pantries, saying they only want to help Filipinos suffering from the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government's anti-insurgency task force earlier admitted that it is profiling community pantry organizers.

"Ibang 'CPP' po iyan sir. Hindi Communist Party of the Philippines, kundi Community Pantry of the Poor (CPP)," David said in a Facebook post, in all-caps.

(This is a different 'CPP.' Not the Communist Party of the Philippines but the Community Pantry of the Poor.)

David further defended the initiative, saying offering goods and services to those hardest-hit by the lockdown is not a crime.

"Puwede rin kayong kumuha ayon sa pangangailangan at magbigay ayon sa kakayahan. Hindi po krimen iyan kundi bayanihan. Di ba kayo nagpapasalamat na kusang nagtutulungan ang mga tao?" the bishop said.

(You can also go there and get what you need and give what you can give. That's not a crime but being a community. Why can't you just be thankful for those who selflessly help others?)

The community pantry on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City that inspired other efforts across the country temporarily halted operations on Tuesday due to what it called red-tagging by government social media accounts.

The Diocese of Caloocan, which David heads, has also set up its own community pantry. — BM, GMA News