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UMAASA ang Commission on Human Rights na ang desisyon ng Korte Suprema sa red-tagging ay magpapatibay ng pagsunod sa angkop na proseso at tuntunin ng batas.
“CHR is hopeful that the SC decision will set a strong legal precedent for court cases involving red-tagging. Most especially, we hope that this will fortify adherence to due process and the rule of law before making serious accusations and labels that endanger human rights and dignity,” sabi ng CHR sa isang kalatas.
Sa desisyon ng SC kamakailan ay nagpasya na ang red-tagging at guilt by association ay nagbabanta sa karapatan ng isang tao sa buhay, kalayaan, o seguridad at ipinagkaloob ang writ of amparo na pabor kay dating Bayan Muna lawmaker Siegfred Deduro.
Sa pasya ng SC na pabor kay Deduro, sinabi ng Kataas-taasang Hukuman na ang mga naturang account ng red-tagging ay naglalarawan dito bilang isang malamang na pasimula sa pagdukot o extrajudicial killing.
“[T]his court declares that red-tagging, vilification, labeling, and guilt by association constitute threats to a person’s right to life, liberty, or security… which may justify the issuance of a writ of amparo,” the SC said.
Sinabi ni Deduro sa kanyang petisyon para sa writ of amparo, na ni-red-tag siya ng mga opisyal ng militar at inakusahan siya bilang ranking member ng Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). Ibinasura ng isang regional trial court ang kanyang petisyon, ngunit kalaunan ay natukoy ng SC na ang paunang petisyon ni Deduro ay “was not groundless nor lacking in merit.”
“The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) declaring “red-tagging, vilification, labelling, and guilt by association threaten one’s right to life, liberty, or security”. The said decision also identifies the issuance of a writ of amparo as a direct remedy to address the threats being caused by these acts, therefore also covering enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings,” sabi ng CHR.
Ayon sa CHR, ang mga mamamayan ay may karapatan sa proteksyon ng kanilang mga pangunahing karapatan.
“The SC’s decision underscores the importance of protecting these rights against any form of unwarranted harassment or intimidation. Red-tagging and similar practices not only violate the inherent dignity of individuals but also undermine the fabric of democracy and the rule of law,” anang CHR.
“The issuance of a writ of amparo in cases involving red-tagging or vilification serves as a vital mechanism to ensure accountability and provide recourse for victims of human rights violations. It empowers individuals to seek legal protection against arbitrary actions that threaten their safety and well-being,” dagdag ng CHR.
Giit ng komisyon, ang depinisyon ng SC sa red-tagging ay “nagpapatibay sa subjective at arbitrary na katangian ng red-tagging bilang isang kasanayan.”
“Furthermore, by referring to red-tagging as a form of threat and intimidation, the SC acknowledges the real and immediate dangers faced by those who are labelled in this manner,” real and immediate danger.
Pinagtitibay nito ang mga natuklasan ng CHR noong 2020 tungkol sa sitwasyon ng mga tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao na “replete with testimonies about human rights defenders across all sectors who, prior to being killed, injured, illegally arrested, charged with trumped-up cases, or otherwise put in harm’s way, have first been red-tagged.”
Patuloy na hinihikayat ng CHR ang lahat ng stakeholders, kabilang ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno, civil society organizations, at ang publiko, na manatiling mapagbantay sa pagtiyak na laging mananaig ang due process at rule of law, na pinangangalagaan ang dignidad at karapatan ng bawat Pilipino. (ZIA LUNA)