KABATAAN Party-list-Cordillera called out the Police Regional Office-Cordillera’s (PRO-COR) denial of the red-tagging acts.
Christian Dave Ruz, coordinator of Kabataan Party-list Cordillera, slammed the police for its continued red tagging activities.
“How shameless can it be, that rather apologizing and uttering commitment to rectify, the PRO-COR choose to categorically deny the cases of red tagging that its elements conduct? To whom are they lying?” said Ruz.
Earlier, PRO–COR regional director Brigadier General R’Win Pagkalinawan denied reports of red-tagging of progressive groups in the Cordillera.
Ruz said reported cases of red-tagging has been increasing in the region since 2018.
“As for the youth, intensified attacks of red-tagging and terrorist-labeling among youth groups and individuals were recorded since the purported Red October plot. It includes red-tagging forum in schools where fully-armed elements of the PRO-COR RMFB enter schools to spread malicious and threatening discussions vilifying various organizations. More so, this smear campaign extends to distribution of flyers, in social media and even official police journals. Recent of which are the cases of red-tagging of the UP Baguio Student Council by PRO-COR and BCPO and vilification of SLU students by the PNP Mt. Province PMFB,” Ruz said.
The group said two separate instances, elements of the PNP have already apologized to the youth and other groups for their acts of red-tagging – the Baguio City Police Office on November 2018 and just last February 19, 2020, the Mt. Province Police Provincial Office.
“As the PNP is busy spreading lies, fear and threat, the youth is also busy addressing concerns and forwarding the demands of the youth especially that this February 28, we are to join the National Day of Action for Education and Democracy amid the spiking of tuition and other fees increase in schools, budget cuts in education, health and services and yes, the shrinking spaces in our supposed democracy,” Ruz added.