YOUTH leaders are crying foul over red tagging by the police and military.
Christian Dave Ruz, regional coordinator for the Kabataan Party-list Cordillera, filed a complaint at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday, May 18, for sustained vilification, harassment and threats despite the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Ruz describes the social media attack led by the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (Kabalikat Star Troopers), Philippine National Police (PNP) Benguet Provincial Office (Camp Major Dennis Molintas), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and suspected troll page “Timek ti Cagayan”, and troll account “Shirly Ann Angs”.
The complaint said materials show an edited picture of Ruz holding a flag of the Communist Party of the Philippines, with the caption directly tagging him with the communist group.
Ruz, in his letter to the CHR, asked to conduct an investigation as it has caused security and severe anxiety to his and to all members of the Kabataan Party-list.
“The series of digital harassment is a clear violation of the rights. We believe these scandalous and harassing posts of Philippine National Police Regional Office of the Cordillera Region, the several stations of Baguio City Police and the 5th Infantry Division of Armed of the Philippines, through Kabalikat Star Troopers and Timek ti Cagayan are made for the implementation of Executive Order 70, implying a lack of delineation of legal and legitimate to armed communist organizations,” Ruz said.
The series of posts, according to Ruz has been insinuating malice, threat and accusations with materials that link the Kabataan Partylist as terrorist, NPA member or NPA recruiters.
Social media accounts of the police have been on offensive on terrorism with infographics linking groups and even symbols to terrorist activities.
Previously, social media pages believed to be from the PNP Cordillera has been identifying Cordillera People’s Alliance chair Windel Bolinget as an NPA supporter and asked people to condemn the act.
On the onset of the ECQ, social media accounts of the PNP likewise dissuaded the public in wearing caps and red ribbons as the color is linked to militant groups.
The PNP post said “the strategy is designed by groups affiliated with terrorist groups with the pretext of sympathizing with the front liners in the fight against Covid-19. This is a disguise to collect and solicit food stuff especially cash from softhearted donors to support their comrades in their underground movement. You are not a fool; you already know what is right from wrong. Do not be enticed by their propaganda by using red ribbon. In case someone will convince you to use and decorate red ribbon in your residence and cars, do not be afraid to refuse.”
The red ribbons were a symbol of support to medical front liners.
At the time, Cabinet secretary Carlo Nograles previously wore a red ribbon on his arm with health department spokespersons during daily briefings.
During the ECQ, Police Regional Office – Cordillera director Brigadier General R’win Pagkalinawan echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s orders to shoot anyone who creates trouble at these times, saying snippers will be ready for troublemakers in the region.
Before the lockdown, a dialog with activists was scheduled by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong who said the issue of red-tagging has to be addressed and admitted it is unfair for those red-tagged without basis.
Groups seeking dialog since last year were Tongtongan ti Umili, CPA, Cordillera Human Rights Alliance, Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili iti Siyudad (ORNUS), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kabataan Partylist Cordillera, Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera.
Cases presented during the meeting were the information and education campaigns (IECs) being conducted by the PNP and the military in schools, including nine recent cases documented by Kabataan Partylist Cordillera in Saint Louis University and Benguet State University.
Those red-tagged are part of the Baguio Outstanding Women Leader for Human Rights Gwangju Prize for Human Rights laureate.
There has been no rescheduling of dialog since.