THE MANGAHAS INTERVIEWS

Marcos' security adviser says red-tagging not productive

Incoming National Security Adviser (NSA) Clarita Carlos has reiterated her disapproval of saying labeling individuals as communists or "red tagging", calling the practice “unproductive”.

“When you have run out of arguments, you label. It's not a productive thing 'tsaka antithetical 'yan sa presumption of innocence, hindi ba?… Why are we doing things that are not productive? Let's stop doing that,” Carlos said in the latest episode of The Mangahas Interviews.

(When you have run out of arguments, you label. It's not a productive thing and it's antithetical to the presumption of innocence, right?… Why are we doing things that are not productive? Let's stop doing that.)

“Labeling ba helps you? No. Huwag mo na aksayahin ang panahon mo na maglabel-label ka dyan. That’s what I mean. I'm sure maraming nagalit sakin. Karapatan mo naman magalit pero karapatan ko rin mag-insist that labeling does not work,” she said.

(Does labeling help you? No. So don’t waste your time labeling. That’s what I mean. I’m sure I angered some people. Well that’s their right but I also have the right to insist that labeling does not work.)

Carlos previously said she wanted to put a stop to “red-tagging”, claiming there was nothing to gain from it.

She added that the administration of incoming President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. would instead focus on addressing the root causes of insurgency — injustice and the lack of opportunity.

“Hindi tayo consistent na yung mga success natin ay hindi natin nire-replicate. Ang dami ng success, 'di ba? And we’re saying do it from the ground kasi ang ugat talaga 'andoon eh. Ugatin mo sya. Ugatin mo yung lack of justice…and lack of opportunities sa mga kabataan natin,” Carlos said.

(We’re not consistent in a way that our successes were not being replicated. We have a lot of success, right? But we’re saying do it from the ground because the root causes are there — the lack of justice and opportunities for the youth.)

“Bigyan mo ng opportunity na mag-aral, ng opportunity na maging healthy. Health is a security issue. Tapos bigyan mo ng opportunity na mag-flourish sya as an individual. Kasi siya ‘yung magco-contribute sa pag build ng better Philippines,” she added.

(Give them the opportunity to learn and to be healthy. Health is a security issue.  Then give them the opportunity to flourish as an individual. Because they will contribute to building a better Philippines.)

Instead of labeling them as terrorists, the University of the Philippines professor also proposed that authorities use terms under the Penal Code.

“Ang hirap-hirap i-define ng terorismo. Tinuturo ko ‘yan eh. Lampas 100 ang definition ng terrorism. Ang UN [United Nations] hindi makahingi ng consensus sa defintion nyan. Bakit? Because terrorism is a political-related term,” said Carlos.

(Terrorism is hard to define. I teach that. There are over 100 definitions for it. Even the UN cannot ask for a consensus on its definition. Why? Because terrorism is a political-related term.)

“Gumamit ka na lang ng terms na nasa Penal Code kasi defined na defined ‘yan in operational component,” she added.

(Just use terms under the Penal Code because those are defined in the operational component.)

The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, meanwhile, expressed grave concern over the order of the National Telecommunications Commission to block certain websites allegedly linked to "communist-terrorists" upon request by outgoing NSA Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Among the over 20 sites Esperon requested blocked were those of progressive groups Save Our Schools Network, Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Pamalakaya Pilipinas, and BAYAN. It also included independent news organizations Bulatlat and Pinoy Weekly.

The FOCAP said restricting access to news organizations' websites deprives the public of information and "mutes the voices that would have otherwise found resonance in its reporting."

"Actions taken by government agencies to censure independent media that comprise the country’s diverse and vibrant Fourth Estate is lamentable. Attempts to control narratives and suppress criticism of government policies violate democratic principles," FOCAP said in a statement.

"Thus, we urge the Commission to reconsider its order, and to recognize that the plurality of voices are not threats, but an important part in crafting government policies that will benefit the marginalized sectors of society," it added.

Independent organization Human Rights Watch defines “red-tagging” or “red-baiting” as the act of “publicly accusing activists, journalists, politicians, and others and their organizations of being directly involved in the fighting or supporting the New People’s Army.”

It also claimed those who were victimized by “red-tagging” often end up being harassed or killed. —Sundy Mae Locus and Anna Felicia Bajo/NB/KBK, GMA News