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Duterte 'laughed' at proposal to criminalize red tagging: Sotto

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Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/03/31/duterte.jpg"/><figcaption>President Rodrigo Duterte.<em> Presidential Photo/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte &quot;laughed&quot; at the idea of criminalizing red tagging, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday, after proposals to impose penalties against linking individuals to the communist movement were raised in a Senate hearing.</p><p>&quot;I told the president last night of the idea of some to criminalize red tagging, he laughed!&quot; Sotto told reporters in a text message.</p><p>&quot;Napakalabo! It’s like criminalizing name-calling. Paano &#x27;yung sinasabihan ng fascist? Narcissist? Hindi bawal? &#x27;Yun yellow? Bawal din?&quot; he said.</p><p>(It&#x27;s crazy! It’s like criminalizing name-calling. What about those called fascist? Narcissist? Is that not allowed? What about those called yellow? Should that be disallowed too?)</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/02/20/terrorism-in-its-worst-form-constitutionalist-urges-senate-to-criminalize-red-tagging">&#x27;Terrorism in its worst form&#x27;: Constitutionalist urges Senate to criminalize red tagging</a></li></ul><p>Prior to meeting with Duterte on Tuesday night, Sotto had rejected the idea during the Senate Committee on National Defense&#x27;s hearing on red tagging.</p><p>Those &quot;offended&quot; for being linked to the communist insurgency should just file libel cases against their accusers, the Senate President said.</p><p>But other senators, including Senate Committee on National Defense chair Panfilo Lacson, said they were willing to study the suggestion of constitutionalist Antonio Laviña, a law expert and former dean of the Ateneo School of Government.</p><p>&quot;The proposal is worth looking into,&quot; opposition Sen. Francis &quot;Kiko&quot; Pangilinan said in a statement.</p><p>&quot;Red-tagged individuals have also become target of killings, harassment and threats, and the impunity persists because no one is punished for such acts,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Right now, victims of red-tagging can resort to filing of administrative cases before the Ombudsman, but which appears to have little dent,&quot; he said.</p><p>Lacson earlier said that he was &quot;seriously considering&quot; the proposal.</p><p>&quot;As a matter of fact, I am seriously considering the recommendation to criminalize red tagging as long as such legislation will not infringe on the bill of rights involving freedom of speech and expression,&quot; he said.</p><p>The Senate first needs to consult the Department of Justice if criminalizing red tagging would affect the constitutional right to free speech, he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/01/20/show-proof-in-court-lacson-tells-military-assets-red-tagging-lawmakers">Show proof in court, Lacson tells military assets red tagging lawmakers</a></li></ul><p>The Senate began tackling the issue of red tagging after some military officials labeled as communist supporters several opposition lawmakers and celebrities who expressed dismay over the government&#x27;s COVID-19 response plans.</p><div><strong> RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GXo_BirroAA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></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>President Rodrigo Duterte "laughed" at the idea of criminalizing red tagging, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday, after proposals to impose penalties against red tagging were raised in a Senate hearing.<br /> </p>

President Rodrigo Duterte "laughed" at the idea of criminalizing red tagging, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday, after proposals to impose penalties against red tagging were raised in a Senate hearing.

Duterte 'laughed' at proposal to criminalize red tagging: Sotto

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Duterte 'laughed' at proposal to criminalize red tagging: Sotto

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 02, 2020 04:28 PM PHT

Read More:

Rodrigo Duterte

Tito Sotto

Ping Lacson

Kiko Pangilinan

red tagging

CPP

Communist Party of the Philippines

NPA

New Peoples Army

Senate

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