Guevarra urges NTF-ELCAC to refrain from red-tagging without evidence

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday urged individuals associated with the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to refrain from red-tagging individuals without evidence.

Guevarra issued the remark when asked if he supports the supposed style of the NTF-ELCAC in red-tagging or the linking of people to the armed communist movement.

The Justice secretary stressed that red-tagging is not a policy of the task force.

“Meron lang certain persons associated with the NTF-ELCAC na who might have been vocal about their impressions about certain groups. Kaya nga sinasabi na these people are red-tagging certain groups,” he said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

(There are certain persons associated with the NTF-ELCAC who might have been vocal about their impressions of certain groups. That’s why it’s being said that these people are red-tagging certain groups.)

Guevarra said the Department of Justice has always been clear about its position on red-tagging as he advised these individuals to refrain from doing so without evidence.

“Kung wala ka naman ebidensya to support anything, except to suspect na ito ay fronts ng let’s say communist terrorist groups, eh ‘wag ka na lang magsalita,” Guevarra said.

(If you do not have any evidence to support anything, except to suspect that these are fronts of let’s say communist terrorist groups, then don’t say anything.)

“Dahil you’re endangering certain people kung wala ka naman sufficient evidence. Baka mamaya ma-target naman ‘yang mga tao na yan who are just vocal about their own political views,” he added.

(Because you are endangering certain people if you do not have sufficient evidence. These people, who are just vocal about their own political views, may become targets.)

The Justice Secretary urged those labeling individuals to file the necessary action if they have evidence to prove the violation of existing laws.

“Kasi what’s the point of labeling people? Wala namang mangyayari if you just label people. Kung mayroon kang ebidensya against them then file the necessary legal action against them,” he said.

(Because what’s the point of labeling people? Nothing will happen if you just label people. If you have evidence against them, then file the necessary legal action against them.) — RSJ, GMA News