NUPL-Panay Condemns Red-Tagging of Dayata Sisters
Red-Tagging in the Philippines: A Persistent Threat to Dissent and Constitutional Rights
Manila, Philippines – The practice of “red-tagging,” a dangerous tactic of labeling individuals and organizations as communists or terrorists, continues to cast a long shadow over human rights and democratic freedoms in the Philippines. Despite a landmark Supreme Court recognition in March 2023 that red-tagging poses a serious threat to constitutional rights, opening avenues for legal redress, systemic concerns remain largely unresolved.
Human rights organizations, both domestically and internationally, have consistently documented a disturbing pattern: red-tagging frequently enough serves as a precursor to more severe human rights violations. These can include extrajudicial killings,enforced disappearances,and arbitrary detentions under charges such as terrorism,rebellion,or illegal possession of firearms.
The gravity of the situation was underscored in January 2024 when Irene Khan, the UN special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council.Khan expressed “grave concern” over the ongoing practice of red-tagging in the Philippines, issuing a strong call for the government to ensure the protection of individuals and groups exercising their fundamental right to dissent.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL)-Panay has been vocal in condemning these actions, asserting that “the targets of red-tagging and persecution are those persons and organizations who engage in legitimate and legal activities.” the group further stated, “It is indeed very clear that the goal is to prevent them from carrying out peaceful collective actions that are supposedly protected under our constitution.”
Prominent organizations frequently caught in the crosshairs of red-tagging campaigns include Bayan, Gabriela, Anakbayan, kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and the League of Filipino Students, among other mass-based formations advocating for issues such as labour rights, education reform, land reform, and women’s rights.
The recent case of Thea and Audrey Dayata exemplifies the pervasive nature of this threat. They are now part of what NUPL-Panay describes as “a long list” of progressive leaders targeted for their activism. This list includes nationally recognized figures like Kabataan Partylist Representative Raoul Manuel and former Representative Sarah Elago, and also Panay-based organizers such as Bayan-Aklan coordinator Kim-Sin Tugna and poet-activist George Calaor.
“The fact that they are being red-tagged shows that they truly serve the masses who have long been exploited, neglected, and oppressed by the state,” NUPL-Panay commented, highlighting the perceived motivation behind these attacks.
Kabataan partylist, which represents Filipino youth in Congress, has been a consistent target, particularly for it’s outspoken stances on education reform, military presence in schools, and democratic rights. The party has vehemently denied any links to communist insurgents and has demanded state accountability for the practice of red-tagging.
In the wake of the Dayata incident, NUPL-Panay is demanding an independent investigation into the conduct of those involved, emphasizing the necessity of accountability to deter future abuses. ”We demand that the government stop its policy of red-tagging and persecution of activists and progressive organizations,” the group stated. “We call for independent investigations into these incidents that are genuinely intended to hold the perpetrators accountable.”
Legal experts and civil society advocates have echoed this urgent call, imploring the philippine government to establish more robust safeguards against politically motivated harassment and to steadfastly uphold the rule of law.
A meaningful legislative gap remains: red-tagging is not currently classified as a criminal offense, making prosecution challenging even when victims endure intimidation, surveillance, or violence. Proposed legislation, such as the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, has yet to be passed by Congress, despite broad support from rights groups.
In the interim, NUPL-Panay has reiterated its unwavering support for the Dayata sisters and urged the public to remain vigilant and supportive of human rights defenders across all sectors. “As long as voices like theirs continue to speak out, there is still hope for justice, accountability, and true democratic participation in the Philippines,” the group concluded, underscoring the vital role of activism in the pursuit of a just society.