Gabriela files complaint vs. NTF-ELCAC for alleged red-tagging 

The Gabriela Women’s Party on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over the alleged red-tagging and gender-based harassment by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Former Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago, first nominee of the womens’ party list for Eleksyon 2025, wrote a letter to the Comelec, citing various incidents of alleged targeted harassment from the NTF-ELCAC.

Elago said this includes a recent press release wherein the anti-insurgency body “categorically” labeled Rep. Arlene Brosas as having ties with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and linked Gabriela to the alleged violence attributed to the communist group. 

This violates Comelec Resolution No. 1116, which sets the anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines for the upcoming May polls, as well as the prohibition of government personnel to engage in partisan politics, said Elago. 

“We strongly assert that the systematic vilification of party-list organizations and electoral candidates undermines, if not, violates the people's free exercise of their right to participate in public affairs,” the letter read. 

The former legislator also said members of the Gabriela Women’s Party were victimized by gender-based, misogynistic, and sexist attacks online through comments and social media posts. 

“These acts, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and intimidation during the elections unduly interfere with the right of women to participate freely in this political exercise. They do not create a safe environment that ensures electoral participation free from fear-mongering, manipulation, and intimidation,” she added. 

Comelec Resolution No. 1116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines provides that labeling groups and individuals as terrorists, dissenters, and criminals without evidence is considered an election offense in the 2025 midterm national and local polls.

The resolution also covers acts of bullying and discrimination involving gender, ethnicity, age, religion, and disabilities, among others.

“While we explore available legal remedies to protect and enforce our rights, we trust that the Commission, standing by its mandate, implement and enforce the necessary measures to curtail these prohibited acts and to hold those responsible, accountable for their actions,” said Elago. 

This is the third complaint the progressive Makabayan bloc filed with the Comelec concerning the red-tagging, harassment, and intimidation their members experienced during Eleksyon 2025. 

For its part, the Comelec said it will endorse the letter to a specialized committee mandated to implement the guidelines for the resolution. 

“Kaagad nating ieendorse sa Committee on SAFE. Sila ang nagpapatupad ng resolution on anti-discrimination…Ang gusto natin alamin kung paano ang responsibility at liability based on our resolution,” said elections chief George Erwin Garcia said. 

(We will endorse that to the Committee on SAFE as they are the ones implementing the anti-discrimination resolution. What we want to know is who is going to be held liable based on our resolution.)

NTF-ELCAC denies allegations

Meanwhile, the NTF-ELCAC said the Makabayan bloc is “barking up the wrong tree” as it denied accusations of red-tagging.

“That is a complete falsehood. NTF-ELCAC does not engage in red tagging. It has never and will never be government policy,” said NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Jonathan Malaya. 

Instead of the NTF-ELCAC, Malaya said former rebels, who identified themselves as former CPP members were allegedly identifying the coalition as communist members. 

“The Makabayan Bloc is barking up the wrong tree.  But we welcome these complaints because this will allow us to refute these baseless allegations and show to the public who is really telling the truth,” Malaya added. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News