PNP chief Eleazar orders policemen to stop red-tagging

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday directed police officers to stop red-tagging activities, which he said may cause harassment and place lives in danger.

"Direktiba ko sa kapulisan, huwag ninyo na intindihin o huwag na kayo sumali pa diyan at huwag kayo ma-identify sa red-tagging," Eleazar said in an episode of The Mangahas Interviews.

(My directive to the police, let's not join these controversies or be identified in red-tagging.)

Eleazar assured the public that the PNP would "work on evidence" in filing complaints whether or not a person was a member of an alleged legal front organization of communist rebels.

"Para walang usapan, ang police kasi we work on evidence so kahit pa na sabihing 'di illegal na kasama ka sa (legal front) organization na 'yun e even though si (exiled communist leader) Joma (Sison) nagsabi na yun ang legal front namin, pero wala kang kasalanan kapag sumama ka diyan," Eleazar told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas when asked about his position on red-tagging.

(To end speculations, police work on evidence so even if a person is a member of the legal front organization and was already announced by Joma, then they have no issues in joining there.)

"Pero wag kang gumawa ng offense. Hindi ka man kasama diyan pero kung may iba kang ginawang criminal offense, may problema ka sa pulis," the country's top cop further explained.

(As long as you did not make an offense. If you are a member but you committed a criminal offense then you will have a problem with police.)

"Ngayon, kung kasama ka diyan at ikaw ay miyembro diyan at leader diyan wala kang problema sa amin," he added.

(If you  are a member or leader then we have no issue with you.)

'Community pantry'

Previously, the Quezon City Police District apologized over a photocard posted online and which linked community pantries to communist groups.

PNP was also under fire for allegedly profiling pantry organizers which was highly criticized by human rights defenders as it is an encroachment to privacy.

Eleazar, for his part, advised his personnel to stop asking multiple questions and only offer help to community pantry organizers to avoid "misinterpretation."

"While it is true may ibang pulis dahil sa routine na ginagawa, parang robot. Kapag sa community pantry, huwag na masyadong magtanong. Pumunta, pakilala, kapag may problema at may concern, 'nandito lang po po kami.' As simple as that. Huwag mabusisiin pa so yun ang position namin, wala kaming nireredtag," Eleazar said.

(There are some policemen who do routinary tasks like a robot. When it comes to community pantry, we'll ask them not to ask a lot of questions. Go there, introduce yourselves and if they have issues or concerns just tell them that you can help them. As simple as that. Don't scrutinize them, so that's my position, we are not red-tagging people.)

Implement ATC law

On the other hand, the PNP leader vowed that they will implement the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, adding that there will be safeguards in case the enforcers will abuse the measure.

"Kami bilang nagiimplement nito pagbabasihan na lang kung ano ang batas. Yan po ang rule," Eleazar said.

(We will implement whatever is based on the law.)

"Ang punto dito, may safeguard na kaakibat na yan kung sakaling kinuquestion ang Supreme Court, bahagi yan ng democracy. Habang walang decision ang Supreme Court at ito naman ay inallow ng batas at iimplement na as simple as that, kung may violation na nagsasaad na terrorism, dun tayo papasok doon," he added.

(The point is there are safeguards and if the law is being qruestioned before the Supreme Court, that's part of democracy. As Supreme Court still has no decision and we the law is being allowed and implemented, then as simple as that, if there is an act of terrorism, we will act on that.)

Oral arguments on the petitions that seek to repeal the controversial anti-terror law are still ongoing before the Supreme Court. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News