Gabriela members protest 'red-tagging' in front of Camp Aguinaldo

Members of Gabriela Women's Party on Wednesday gathered in front of Camp Aguinaldo, the military's main headquarters, to protest against the red-tagging of activists by government personalities.

The group is also calling for the abolition or the defunding of the National Task Force to End Local Communist (NTF-ELCAC). It wants the task force's funds rechanneled to efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the protest action, Gabriela Secretary General Joms Salvador slamed NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. for allegedly red-tagging the group and its celebrity supporters.

“Ito pong mga nakaraang araw, napakatindi nung mga pinagsasabi ng bayarang spokesperson ng military, NTF-ELCAC, si Lieutenant General Parlade,” Salvador said.

“Halos parang asong ulol, na kahit sino na lang, ‘yung mga kababaihan, artista, personahe, organisasyon kagaya ng Gabriela, pinagsasabi na mga terorista,” she added.

In a statement, Salvador said the accusations indicate that the government aims to intimidate Filipinos demanding better response to health and economic crisis amid the pandemic.

“GABRIELA and all women who fight for democratic rights face head-on irresponsible and dangerous statements of the NTF-ELCAC to demonize and attack hard-won rights of women and the people for free speech and association,” she said.

“It seeks to silence those of us who demand state accountability to the worsening poverty and injustice experienced by Filipino women today,” she added.

Salvador also underscored the efforts of Gabriela in promoting and defending women’s rights.

“It has never faltered in supporting women victims of violence and stood firm and true to its purpose of serving as an organization by women and for women who are marginalized and denied of her rights in society,” she said.

Parlade came under fire last week after he warned actress Liza Soberano, as well as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, against keeping ties with Gabriela, which the military claims is a front organization of communist rebels.

Parlade, also commander of the military's Southern Luzon Command, denied "red-tagging" the actress, as accused by his critics. He, however, noted that Soberano, who participated in a webinar organized by Gabriela, is being "exploited" by the group.

Parlade has never backed down from his claim that Gabriela and its allied groups are linked with communist rebels.

Several groups, government officials, and celebrities have defended Gabriela, Soberano and Gray from Parlade’s remark. —KBK, GMA News