Makabayan bloc members face Senate probe on red-tagging

Makabayan bloc solons face the Senate during the resumption of the hearing on red-tagging by military officials. Screengrab from the Senate Facebook Live.

MANILA, Philippines — Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares, party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago faced the Senate’s probe on Tuesday on the red-tagging of certain personalities and organizations, after opting not to attend its first hearing earlier this month.

During the  November 3 hearing, Senator Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Senate committee on defense, said that members of progressive groups were invited to the hearing, but they did not confirm their attendance.

Instead, the Makabayan bloc only sent a representative, Atty. Maneeka Asistol Sarza, to the previous hearing that was led by the committee.

During the previous hearing, Lacson said Colmenares had requested a separate hearing without the presence of members of the military, especially Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., who was recently under fire for the red-tagging issue.

“We received a letter from former Rep. Neri Colmenares requesting that another hearing be held so he may be given an opportunity to attend, but without the presence of the members of the security sector, particularly Lt. Gen. Parlade,” Lacson earlier said.

Parlade is joining Tuesday’s hearing through teleconference.

Members of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAL) were also invited in the hearing but most of them were virtually represented by other officials.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. attended the hearing physically.

EDV