The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the statement of incoming National Security Adviser, Dr. Clarita Carlos, urging the end of the practice of red-tagging, also known as red-baiting, especially those from government agencies and its representatives.

In its Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines (2020, ), CHR, citing former UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Philip Alson, describes red-tagging or red-baiting as the “‘vilification,’ ‘labelling,’ or guilty by association” that “involves the characterisation of most groups on the left of the political spectrum as ‘front organisations’ for armed groups whose aim is to destroy democracy” and as “enemies of the State” making them as legitimate targets. In the past, however, human rights defenders, activists, media, advocacy groups, and sectoral representatives among others have also been at the receiving end of red-tagging.

CHR has long since cautioned against the harms of red-tagging which range from harassment and intrusion to one’s right to privacy, to graver ones that includes unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, injuries, and even killings.

Instituting a policy barring red-tagging will go a long way in protecting the life, liberty, and security of various individuals and groups, especially those unfairly labelled.

In turn, CHR equally welcomes the proposal from Dr. Carlos to instead focus the government’s efforts in addressing inequalities and lack of opportunities on the ground that drive insurgency. In this way, the Philippine may move towards a more just and humane society by addressing the root causes of conflicts that deprive us all of a just and lasting peace. ###