Makabayan bloc warns vs red-baiting

Red-baiting and the filing of trumped-up charges will intensify following President Duterte’s latest threats against “all legal fronts” that allegedly aid communist rebels, the progressive Makabayan party-list bloc predicted on Thursday.

In a press briefing, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio took exception to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement that “conspiracy” could be a ground to arrest activists belonging to legal groups.

“Mere membership is not illegal. There has to be an actual violation of the law before you are arrested,” Tinio said.

Roque said in a statement on Thursday: “Even if they did not physically take up arms, if they are part of a conspiracy to commit acts of terror or rebellion, then they can be held liable under the theory of a conspiracy.”

Tinio said this would lead to “trumped-up charges,” where activists belonging to legitimate political groups would be accused of involvement in ambushes by the belligerent New People’s Army.