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'Frequency disturbing': DOJ backs moves to pass Red-tagging law

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<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATE)</strong> - Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday backed moves by lawmakers to pass a law defining and criminalizing Red-tagging, saying the frequency of complaints related to it has become disturbing.</p><p>Guevarra said the absence of a red-tagging law means individuals accused of being members of the communist insurgency can only file complaints for harassment, defamation, unjust vexation and violation of privacy laws against their accusers.</p><p>&quot;In the past few months, medyo sunod-sunod &#x27;yung mga reklamo (there have been succeeding complaints) about red-tagging. People have raised their voice against it so might as well have one (red-tagging law). The frequency of these acts loosely called red-tagging has really become quite disturbing,&quot; he said in an interview on ANC&#x27;s Headstart. </p><p>Guevarra later clarified that he only made the remark after receiving requests for investigation into acts of alleged red-baiting.</p><p>Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon has filed Senate Bill 2121, which defines the act of red-tagging and seeks to impose a penalty of 10-year imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding office for those convicted.</p><p>The bill classifies red-tagging as “labeling, vilifying, branding, naming, accusing, harassing, persecuting, stereotyping, or caricaturing individuals, groups, or organizations as state enemies, left-leaning, subversives, communists, or terrorists as part of a counter-insurgency or anti-terrorism strategy or program, by any state actor, such as law enforcement agent, paramilitary, or military personnel.”</p><p>Drilon warned red-tagging endangers the life and safety of victims.</p><p>Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez had filed a House resolution urging the National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Human Rights to investigate the alleged red-tagging against community pantry organizers.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/28/21/proposals-to-defund-ntf-elcac-knee-jerk-reaction-says-solon">Proposals to defund NTF-ELCAC &#x27;knee-jerk&#x27; reaction, says solon</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Sabi ko of (I said) course I can discuss it with the NBI. Kaya lamang kung ang talagang gustong mangyari ay i-prosecute through red-tagging, sinabi ko na wala naman tayong existing law against red-tagging,&quot; Guevarra said.</p><p>(But if they really want us to prosecute through red-tagging, I said there&#x27;s no existing law against red-tagging.)</p><p>&quot;Kaya kung gusto ng lehislatura, halimbawa ng Congress, na mag-investigate at later on i-prosecute ng DOJ (Department of Justice) ang acts of red-tagging, they should enact the appropriate law.&quot;</p><p>(So if the legislative branch wants us to investigate and later prosecute acts of red-tagging, they should enact the appropriate law.)</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1674070" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div><strong>NO RED-TAGGING COMPLAINT VS PARLADE</strong></div><p>President Rodrigo Duterte will not certify the bill as urgent as the administration has already laid out its legislative agenda, Guevarra said.</p><p>&quot;I think the administration or the President will most likely follow itong legislative agenda...It doesn’t look very probable na mag-issue ang President ng certificate of urgency,&quot; he said.</p><p>The DOJ has yet to receive any complaints against Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade for red-tagging, according to Guevarra.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/10/21/red-tagging-report-senate-wants-parlade-out-as-ntf-elcac-spox">Red tagging report: Senate wants Parlade out as NTF-ELCAC spox</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Wala pang complaint for red-tagging against any person, particularly Gen. Parlade dahil wala namang exactly batas right now against red-tagging,&quot; he said.</p><p>(We have yet to receive any complaint for red-tagging against any person, particularly Gen. Parlade because there&#x27;s no law right now against red-tagging.)</p><p>&quot;The best that can be filed would be complaint for libel, defamation, or coercion. But non for red-tagging cause there’s no law punishing and defining red-tagging.&quot;</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1674027" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday backed moves by lawmakers to pass a law defining and criminalizing Red-tagging, saying the frequency of complaints related to it has become disturbing.</p>

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday backed moves by lawmakers to pass a law defining and criminalizing Red-tagging, saying the frequency of complaints related to it has become disturbing.