Red-tagging of Iloilo LGBT community leader by TV show hosts alarms CHR

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed “deep concern” about the red-tagging of a leader of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQI) community in Iloilo by the hosts of a television show.

In a statement on Friday, the CHR said the allegation that Iloilo Pride Team chairperson Irish Inoceto is using LGBTQI issues to recruit members for the communist movement is dangerous as it adds to the community’s struggles.

The CHR was referring to the alleged red-tagging of Inoceto by former National Task Force for Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy and alleged former communist rebel Jeffrey Celiz.

“The [CHR] expresses deep concern on the red-tagging of Irish Inoceto, the chairperson of the Iloilo Pride Team, by anchors Jeffrey ‘Ka Eric’ Celiz and Dr. Lorraine Marie Badoy, on the SMNI program ‘Laban kasama ang Bayan’ aired on 24 October 2022,” the CHR said in a statement.

“In the said program, the anchors claimed that Inoceto is a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is using LGBTQI issues to recruit students of the Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS),” it added.

The CHR said Bahaghari, a network of LGBTQI communities in the country, relayed that Inoceto helped ICNHS transgender students with grooming after the school enforced a haircut rule on students.

“According to Bahaghari, a partner of the Iloilo Pride Team, it was the transgender students of the ICNHS who sought the help of Inoceto concerning the grooming policy of the school, which requires them to cut their hair. The group added that such policy causes the transgender students of the said school to ‘feel deep emotional distress’ and Inoceto is ‘providing them assistance in drafting gender-affirming policies,'” CHR said.

“CHR continues to admonish against blanket labeling that endangers and threatens human rights defenders and advocates, including LGBTQI leaders, who endeavor to help address the concerns of their sector […] This kind of narrative only serves to perpetuate the already disadvantageous plight of the LGBTQI who frequently face stigma, discrimination, and gender-based violence in our society,” it added.

Badoy, Celis, and their SMNI Network television program have been accused of red-tagging previously.

Just recently, the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the red-tagging of three journalists.

READ: Quiboloy network called out for red-tagging anew 

Badoy also became controversial last September after several groups, including lawyers and judges, raised concerns about her alleged red-tagging of a Manila judge who ruled in favor of the Communist Party of the Philippines in a case.

READ: Trial court judges slam Badoy for ‘red-tagging’ of Manila judge 

Previously, Badoy and other NTF-ELCAC officials denied their alleged red-tagging activities. They claimed that they were merely telling the truth.

READ: Badoy says red-tagging not dangerous but 427 slain activists show otherwise 

/MUF