Poll watchdog bats for stricter implementation of a Comelec resolution amid red-tagging

Protesters led by election watchdog Kontra Daya march towards the Commission on Elections headquarters in Intramuros, Manila on November 25, 2021. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — An election watchdog called for stronger implementation of a Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution which deemed red-tagging as a poll offense. 

Comelec Resolution No. 11116 promulgated last February sought to penalize the act of labeling groups as terrorists and criminals without evidence.

In its initial report released on Saturday, Kontra Daya and Vote Report PH said 63.8 percent of 94 suspected violations they verified from February 12 to March 14 involved red-tagging.

Illegal campaigning was next on the list at 24.5 percent, vote buying at 4.3 percent, illegal uses of public resources at 3.2 percent and other violations at 4.2 percent.

Poll watchdog flags nearly 100 campaign violations

"Ang panawagan namin sa Comelec as early as now, yung strict implementation ng Comelec resolution against gender discrimination and labeling. If I'm not mistaken, nagawa na ito ng Comelec na implement na na i-release na pero mas stricter implementation yung panawagan namin, sana may masampulan. May documentation naman kami eh," Kontra Daya Convenor Danilo Arao said. 

"Lumalabas na may mga tarpulin na binabago slightly yung pangalan para ilagay yung mas mapanirang pamamaraan lang pagtawag sa isang party list. Meron din naman outright na nang re-red tag na sinasabing wag iboto ang mga party list group na ito o ang mga senatorial candidate na ito dahil sila ay mga miyembro ng CPP, NPA, NDFP," he told ABS-CBN News.  

Arao expressed concern over the initial findings, especially the numerous incidents of red-tagging, mostly of progressive candidates and party-list groups.

"Ito ay nakababahala sapagkat alam naman natin na dito sa ating bansa kapag ikaw ay inaakusa ng komunista o terorista, pwede kang maaresto, pwede kang makulong o kaya pwede kang mapatay. Kaya delikado itong ganitong klaseng insidente ng red tagging at dapat napigilan ito," he said. 

"At dapat manguna ang Commission on Elections para hindi ito mas magiging malala pa sa mga susunod na araw linggo at buwan," Arao added.

SC recognizes danger of 'red-tagging,' says may justify writ of amparo

The election watchdogs clarified that their findings were based on reports they received from the public.

"Nais ko lang linawin na ito hindi survey, hindi ito nagbibigay ng actual representation of the reality on the ground. In fact, I can even argue na mas mataas pa ang actual na bilang kaya lang yung mga tao, walang panahon para mag-report sa kung anumang dahilan. Pwede sila ay tinatakot, pwede sila ay ini-intimidate at ihaharass," Arao said. 

TKontra Daya Convenor Danilo Arao was referring to he Kontra Daya convenor urged the public to be more vigilant and report incidents if they see possible violations.

"Ngayon palang dapat kritikal nating sinusuri yung mga nangyayari sa ating paligid kung merong kahinahinala po tayong napapansin, mainam na ipagbigay alam ito sa kinauukulan at makakatulong kung irereport niyo rin ito sa Vote Report PH at sa Kontra Daya," he said.

Harapan 2025: Red-tagging still a threat to life, security, Brosas says

Incidents can be reported on the official website or official social media accounts of Kontra Daya and Vote Report PH.

"'Yung privacy at saka security po ng mag-rereport, ina-assure po namin yan 100 percent. Through the years, never po kaming nagbigay sa third party ng mga datos ng mga nag-report po sa amin, protektado po yan," Arao said. 

"Pwedeng anonymous, pero ganito. Kailangan namin ng contact information, e-mail man yan or cell phone number. Kasi pag nag-rereport, bineverify namin yung veracity ng report," he added.

Comelec said it would study the report and go after candidates who violated election laws.

"We are one with them on the fight against discriminatory acts and utterance committed during the election period and will hold responsible violators of campaign rules," Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Sunday said in a text message to reporters.

RELATED VIDEO: