A Quick Initial Brief On Red-Tagging in the Philippines – National Union of People’s Lawyers
A Quick Initial Brief On Red-Tagging in the Philippines – National Union of People’s Lawyers
Editorial cartoon by Neil Doloricon
By Manila Today Staff
1. Concept and Definition
In an article published by the International Peace Observers network (IPON), Red Tagging or “red baiting” “describes the practice of state actors to publicly and detractively classify government-critical individuals and organisations as state enemies, communist terrorists or members of communist front organisations with the purpose of overthrowing the democratically legitimized state authority.”
In his Dissenting Opinion in the case of Zarate, et al. vs. Aquino, et al., Associate Justice Marvic Leonen opined that Red tagging or “red-baiting” as described in this case, was the Philippines’ version of McCarthyism:
“To make it easy for military and paramilitary units to silence or cause untold human rights abuses on vocal dissenters, government agents usually resort to stereotyping or caricaturing individuals. This is accomplished by providing witnesses who, under coercive and intimidating conditions, identify the leaders of organizations critical of the administration as masterminds of ordinary criminal acts. Not only does this make these leaders’ lives and liberties vulnerable, a chilling effect on dissent is also generated among similar-minded individuals.”
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