The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is now conducting an investigation to identify those responsible for posting tarpaulins that red-tagged activists, advocates, and human rights defenders.
City Councilor Carlos Javellana, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on peace and order and police matters, said he had already discussed this concern with ICPO director Police Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos.
The city’s top cop, according to Javellana, assured to investigate the posting of tarpaulins bearing the names and faces of several personalities.
The councilor challenged the people behind the red-tagging activity to show up and present all their evidence against those being linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
“Budlay man na nga hearsay lang kay anybody makared-tag sa imo,” said Javellana.
The Philippine Army recently deployed teams to seven Communist Terrorist Group (CTG)–affected barangays in the city, namely: West Timawa, North Fundidor, and South Fundidor in Molo district, Nava-is in Mandurriao; Sinikway in Lapuz; Baldoza in La Paz; and Hechanova in Jaro.
Javellana said the red-tagging and the deployment of military personnel were maybe just a coincidence.
Meanwhile, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-Panay) called on local government officials to look into these activities that put the lives of red-tagged personalities in danger and hold accountable those involved the “senseless” and “baseless” red-tagging of activists in Iloilo City.
The progressive group also urged the city government to defend activists and human rights defenders because red-tagging has now become a trend, especially when you call out several government officials and policies.
Bryan Bosque, Bayan-Panay spokesperson said he believes that “the intervention of the city government in this red-tagging incident is very much needed as no one is spared from these malicious attacks.”IMT
