A MEMBER of the Union of People's Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) said a joint petition asking the Cagayan de Oro City Council to pass a resolution declaring the city red-tagging free will be passed as soon as all petitioners have affixed their signatures.
UPLM member Lawyer Beverly Musni said Monday, July 22, 2019, a joint petition is crafted with the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) Church, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), urban poor group Kadamay and Makabayan Coalition.
"Ipadangat nato ni sa konseho sa syudad aron ipanawagan nga i-declare ang CDO as red-tagging free," Musni said.
She said the group is also calling City Mayor Oscar Moreno to direct village chiefs and police station commanders to "remove upon site of any tarpaulin and other materials red-tagging and vilifying petitioners, or others similarly situated, found in their areas of jurisdiction or responsibility; with a caveat that they may be held accountable for serious neglect of duties, should any inaction on the matter be found despite notice and report to the contrary."
Musni, a human rights defender, was also a subject of red-tagging in the past. Several Church workers and journalists and other rights advocates in the City were also being tagged as either NPA supporters or protectors.
"Atong hangyoon ang atong mayor nga sugoon ang mga barangay kapitan ug mga police nga tangtangon kung naay makita nga mga slanderous tarpaulin tagging us as NPA supporters," Musni said.
The petitioners also want immediate cessation of all forms of red tagging in all corners of the city and undertake a serious investigation on the red-tagging incidents as reported by the petitioners or still existing and prosecuting and penalizing those found to have perpetrated the acts.
Musni also said the petition also want the City Government to create a human rights committee in the city.
Once the City does this, Musni said it would be the concrete expression of the city leaders commitment as protectors of its people.