Senators want law enforcers to probe red-tagging of community pantries

Eight senators from the majority and the minority blocs of the Senate want law enforcement to launch an investigation into the profiling and red-tagging of community pantry organizers.

The senators released a joint statement on Tuesday slamming the social media posts of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) apparently linking the community pantry initiatives to the communist movement.

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr.  on Tuesday denied the red-tagging of the individuals, but admitted on Tuesday that they are indeed checking the background of community pantry organizers.

The senators also urged the authorities to hold a dialogue with the organizers of the community pantries—an initiative which is intended to help people by donating food and other essentials.

The statement was issued by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Leila De Lima.

“The profiling of organizers must stop. It puts people’s lives in danger, knowing how notorious some police, military officers, and personnel are in red-tagging progressives and now civic-minded citizens who only want to do good for their fellow men and women," the lawmakers said in the statement.

They pointed out that hunger is the “problem” which was being addressed by the community pantries.

"The harassment and intimidation of those involved in these relief efforts exacerbate the hunger and hardships of our citizens. We condemn these acts," they added.

They said painting these acts with “suspicions of communist links is deplorable.”

Instead of prohibiting and closing down these pantries, they said the Philippine National Police and the local government units must help them in ensuring that the minimum health protocols are in place.

On Tuesday morning, Ana Patricia Non, the organizer of the Maginhawa Community Pantry, said there would be a pause in its operation for the safety of its volunteers.

Non said three policemen had asked for contact and whether she belonged to an organization.

However, National Police chief Police General Debold Sinas denied that the police were profiling the organizers.

The Quezon City Police District apologized for posting an accusatory graphic on its Facebook page as Mayor Joy Belmonte defended the Maginhawa Community Pantry and other community pantries in the city.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday also ordered police and local government officials not to interfere with community pantries organized by private individuals.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it is up to the NTF-ELCAC if it will stop the red-tagging of community pantry organizers.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Duterte administration is supportive of the community pantry initiative and will not hamper its operations. — BM, GMA News