SC orders probe on ‘red tagging’ allegations vs gov’t

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has again ordered the government to respond to more allegations of harassment and “red tagging” of members of cause-oriented organizations.

In a resolution made public Thursday, the High Court granted the writs of amparo and habeas data in favor of Karapatan Alliance Philippines, Inc.; Rural Missionaries of the Philippines Inc.; and General Assembly of Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action (GABRIELA) Inc.

The High Court gave the respondents on or before June 13 to respond through a verified return.

Named respondents are President Rodrigo Duterte, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Brig. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, Maj. Gen. Erwin Neri, Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., Lt. Gen. Macairog Sabiniano Alberto, National Intelligence Coordinating Council (NICA) Director General Alex Paul Monteagudo, NICA Deputy Director General Vicente Agdamag, Police Sr. Supt. Omega Jireh Fidel, and Undersecretaries Joel Egco, Severo Catura, and Lorraine Marie Badoy.

In the same ruling, the High Court ordered the Court of Appeals to conduct a hearing on the merits of the case on June 18 and decide the case within 10 days after it has been submitted for decision.

The groups asked for court protection against threats to the lives, liberty and security of their members through a writ of amparo.

They asked the government to disclose and destroy all files or records gathered against their members through a writ of habeas data.

Writ of Amparo is a remedy available to any person whose right to life, liberty and security has been violated or under threat, while the writ of habeas data is a remedy available to any person whose right to privacy in life, liberty or security has been violated or under threat by the unlawful gathering of information about the person, his or her family and home.

Both writs serve as preventive and curative roles to curb extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

This is the second petition that the High Court had ordered the government to respond to allegations of harassment and “red tagging” groups, lawyers and other private individuals as communist members.

The first petition was filed by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL). The case is currently with the Court of Appeals for presentation of evidence. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)

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