Brothers and sisters, accusations without clear and strong basis is wrong and unjust. According to the book of Exodus 23:1 and 7, “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness. Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.”
This is contradictory to what Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy did, standing as the speaker for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict. In a Facebook post, she accused Sr. Mary John Mananzan of being a communist rebel supporter. According to Usec Badoy, Sr. Mary John has been for the longest time allied with the National Democratic Front. This seems to be Usec Badoy’s answer after the nun expressed her dismay over the guilty verdict in the cyber libel case against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former writer-researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr.
Usec Badoy’s action is alarming. What is even more worrisome is Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque’s defense of what Usec Badoy did, calling it “freedom of expression.” He added that as long as the public has the right to comment on the government, public officials also have the right to say whatever they want.
But freedom of expression is different from red-tagging. Freedom of expression is having the right for people to convey their beliefs, thoughts, ideas, and feelings about different issues without the government’s interference. But there are conditions and limitations accompanying this freedom. There’s the duty of citizens to be responsible for what they say, and also to respect the rights of others. Red-tagging, however, is when the state accuses an individual, group, or institutions of being part of a communist or leftist group. Regardless of Sr. Mary John’s reputation as an activist, and being one with women in advocating their rights, it is wrong to just accuse her of being a communist. Activism is not terrorism. One need not be a communist to criticize and hold officials in government accountable for their acts. One need not be a communist to assert the rights, and uphold the dignity, of the people.
Although the Anti-Terror Act may not have been signed yet into law as of this writing, here are the government officials hastily charging individuals, groups, or institutions as communists. This is considered a violation of human rights. In the event that one individual or group is suspected to have relations with the CPP-NPA—even if it’s not proven—they may go under monitoring, having their assets frozen, or be detained without a case under the Anti-Terror Act. If the reckless red-tagging against activists, Church members, and private institutions continues, it becomes a threat to the rights of the people and even to our democracy. Which is why, in consonance with the efforts of different sectors in society, there’s a snowballing movement to refuse and stop the Anti-Terror Act.
From the Catholic social teaching, the true value of freedom is achieved if every member of society is enabled to express opinions with responsibility, recognizing the rules on the common good and public order.
Brothers and sisters, a statement that is evil, destructive, and possibly harmful against a person is not considered freedom of expression. Red-tagging must not be used by our leaders against critics of the government. Public officials should instead face and accept criticism from the public. This is how they can address the real issues of our society.
Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 Ang Radyo ng Simbahan in the AM band, or through
live streaming at www.veritas846.ph, and follow its Twitter and Instagram accounts @veritasph, and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.