House probe sought for PNP memo 'profiling' supposed Reds

Progressive lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the Philippine National Police's (PNP) memorandum calling for the profiling of individuals and groups that are perceived to have links to the communist movement.

In House Resolution 2233, the seven-member Makabayan Bloc urged the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the PNP memorandum, which the Manila Police District Intelligence Division issued on September 25.

The memorandum, issued to Police Stations 1 to 11, refers to the Workshop on Periodic Situation Report on Threat Groups.

The same memo states that PSR factors have to be updated and validated as these "have implications to the peace and security of Metro Manila."

The major components of the PSR on Threat Groups include:

• Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG)-Armed Struggle
• Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG)-Legal Struggle
• Peace Inclined Armed Groups (MILF, MNLF)
• Terrorism (ISIS, ASG, KIM, etc)
• Terrorism Financing

According to the Makabayan Bloc, the PNP memo sends a wrong message that advocates of change who join rallies are enemies of the state.

"The said PNP memo seems to have crossed the line in profiling and engaging in partisan politics by targeting individuals, organizations and candidates on the basis of mere allegations," their resolution read.

"Such a memorandum can be used to campaign against parties and candidates arbitrarily being linked to the communist movement. The same memo is already being used to harass and attack individuals, organizations and candidates by state forces," it added.

The Makabayan bloc on Monday also filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the attacks against the youth, including the military's list of universities in Metro Manila allegedly used as recruitment hubs of communist rebels, saying that it is a violation of the democratic rights of the students to express and organize. — BAP, GMA News