Jinggoy Estrada files Senate bill to criminalize red-tagging

Senator Jinggoy Estrada has filed a measure seeking to penalize red-tagging, which he said has threatened the lives of activists, and even community leaders and journalists.

Senate Bill No. 1071 or the “Anti-Red-Tagging Act” proposed a penalty of 10 years imprisonment and disqualification to hold public office on those who publicly label or accuse individuals or groups as state enemies, left-leaning, communists, terrorists, or part of counter-insurgency or anti-terrorism programs.

Estrada said the bill seeks to protect citizens from unwarranted harassment, intimidation, or persecution due to red-tagging.

“Red-tagging is not just a label, it is a threat. When someone is publicly named as a communist sympathizer, their life is immediately placed in danger,” he said in a statement. 

“Security forces must protect, not endanger. Advocacy is not a crime. Dissent is not terrorism,” he added. “This bill draws a clear line to ensure that no Filipino’s life is put at risk because of reckless and baseless accusations.”

In the House of Representatives, party-list representatives Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers and Renee Co of Kabataan also filed a bill that pushed for a prison term of six months to six years for public officials, employees, and/or their agents who will red-tag any individual. — JMA, GMA Integrated News