PNP chief denies involvement in red-tagging activities

Newly-installed Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar leads his first command conference at the PNP headquarters in Crame Crame, Quezon City on May 8, Saturday.
PHOTO FROM PNP PIO

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen Guillermo Eleazar denied on Thursday that cops are behind the red-tagging of individuals and groups online, as he urged the public to report to authorities such instances.

“Well, unang-una po ay wala naman talaga tayong ginagawang red-tagging,” Eleazar told Teleradyo when asked about some police stations posting in their social media accounts the names of certain progressive organizations as having links to alleged terrorists.

(Well, first of all, we are not doing any red-tagging.)

Eleazar pointed out that some left-leaning groups who have been named have previously been identified by the Communist Party as its front organization.

READ: Sison denies legal orgs as red fronts

“Kaya nga po kung tutuusin ‘di ba ‘yan namang ‘yung pag-identify dito sa mga sinasabing mga grupong ito ay mismong yung kanilang pinuno ng CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front) ang nagsabi na ‘yun yung mga front organization nila,” he added.

(In fact, the leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front are the ones who identify the groups and they say these are their front organizations.)

The statement came amid reports that various local police stations linked progressive groups to terrorists since last year.

Maginhawa community pantry organizer Ana Patricia Non earlier claimed to have been red-tagged, although the spokesperson for the government’s anti-insurgency task force said they were just “checking the background” of the people behind the initiative which aimed to provide free food to indigents in the community during the pandemic.

Eleazar said these police stations have been reminded to be careful about posting on social media because it could be misinterpreted.

“Sa amin po sa aming kapulisan, nireremind natin sila at paulit-ulit na sinasabihang mag-ingat sa pagpopost nitong mga ito dahil laging namimisinterpret siya,” said the PNP chief.

(To our policemen, we are reminding them repeatedly to be careful on posting such information because it is always misinterpreted.)

He also urged the public to report to authorities if they see similar posts in the future so the proper sanctions can be imposed.

“At kung meron po kayong nakikitang mga ganyang impormasyon, at sigurado naman na ‘yan ay lulutang at lalabas, tama po na iparating niyo sa amin dahil we will caution them and we will make the proper sanction sa mga pulis natin na patuloy na gumagawa contrary to our directive and instruction,” he said.

(And if you see any information, which I’m sure will come out, it is only right to bring it to us because we will caution them and make the proper sanction on the police who continuously contradict our directive and instruction.)

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