Makabayan bloc protests harassment, red-tagging in Eleksyon 2025

The Makabayan bloc has filed a complaint with the Commission on Elections over alleged harassment and red-tagging in the Eleksyon 2025 campaign.

ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro, who is running for senator, personally submitted the complaint letter at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila, accompanied by representatives from the Kabataan party-list and Gabriela Women’s Party.

“Nagpunta kami ngayon sa office ni Chair Garcia para mag-file ng letter na naglalaman ng complaint ng Makabayan laban sa mga nangyaring harrasment, red-tagging at violation sa anti-discrimination resolution ng Comelec,” Castro told reporters.

(We filed a complaint with Comelec Chair George Garcia against harassment, red-tagging, and violations of the poll body's anti-discrimination resolution.)

She cited various incidents, including an alleged encounter in Palawan where armed individuals stopped Makabayan campaigners, claiming their activities were illegal.

“Talagang harassment at nakakatakot ang mga ganitong pangyayari na sana hindi nangyayari,” she added.

(This is blatant harassment and deeply concerning.)

The Makabayan bloc urged Comelec to investigate these incidents, which they claim violate the anti-discrimination resolution.

Their complaint details the red-tagging of a Kabataan Partylist nominee on social media, harassment of a Gabriela Women’s Party nominee, and the removal or defacement of campaign materials in southern Luzon.

They also reported the posting of propaganda linking Makabayan, its senatorial slate, and party-lists to communist groups.

“We urge the Comelec to investigate these matters and take decisive actions on its perpetrators,” the group said. “Makabayan believes that these incidents have no place in a democracy that values and upholds fair, honest, and clean elections.”

Meanwhile, the Makabayan Coalition in Cavite also filed complaints with the Comelec office in Trece Martires, citing red-tagging and black propaganda against the coalition’s senatorial candidates.

“The next steps taken by Comelec will be closely watched, as they will determine the extent to which electoral laws can safeguard against the misuse of state resources and disinformation in the Philippines,” the group said in a statement.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia confirmed the commission would investigate the matter.

“Tutal naman may crineate tayo na task force, ‘yung Task Force SAFE, para maipatupad ang ating guidelines against discrimination,” he said.

(We have created Task Force SAFE to enforce guidelines against discrimination and election offenses.)

Under Comelec Resolution No. 1116, labeling candidates or groups as terrorists, dissenters, or criminals without evidence is an election offense in the 2025 midterm polls. 

The resolution also prohibits discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, age, religion, and disabilities. — DVM, GMA Integrated News

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