Malacañang says no policy on red-tagging amid controversial anti-terrorism bill

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 11) – Malacañang denied claims that the government is out to red-tag opposition groups and assured that safeguards are in place to prevent such abuses in the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said red-tagging is not a policy of the Duterte administration, refuting observations made by the United Nations' (UN) Human Rights Office.

The UN body last week took note of "serious human rights violations" in the country, noting that the filing of charges against political opponents and labeling persons who appear to have communist sympathies as suspected criminals are among the lapses.

The controversial bill is only one step away from becoming a law.

"Sa panukalang batas, mayroong proseso po iyan bago kayo ma-tag as a terrorist group," Roque said in a press briefing. "Dadaan at dadaan po iyan sa hukuman [In the proposed law, there's a process before you can be tagged as a terrorist group. It will have to go through the courts]."

Asked if the widespread opposition stems from distrust towards the military and police due to the deaths from Oplan Tokhang, the government's flagship war on drugs, Roque said he thinks law enforcement enjoys trust ratings.

"Alam naman po ninyo, mayroon tayong maliit na oposisyon sa bansang ito, lahat ng isyu sinasakyan dahil umaasa pa rin sila na mapatalsik ang ating Presidente," he said. "Hindi naman po sila magsa-succeed [As you know, we have a tiny opposition in this country where they try to drum up every issue hoping they can oust the President. They will not succeed]."

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Roque said that while President Rodrigo Duterte is yet to make a decision whether to approve the entire measure, veto the bill or its certain provisions, or let it lapse into law, there are protections that will limit fears of abuse.

Human rights groups and legal experts have called to block its passage due to contentious provisions, such as the allowed warrantless arrest and up to 24 days of detention for suspected terrorists.

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"Kung malisyoso ang pag-aresto, mayroon pong kaukulang pagkakakulong na hanggang sampung taon ang pupuwedeng mapataw doon sa alagad," Roque said.

"Ang katotohanan po, kapag naman iyan ay naisabatas ay pupuwede rin po silang magdemanda dahil gumagana naman po ang ating mga hukuman," he added. "Kung mayroon talagang probisyon na labag sa Saligang Batas iyan, madedeklara naman po iyan na unconstitutional."

[Translation: If the arrest was made with malice, there is a corresponding penalty of up to 10 years in jail for the arresting officer. The reality is if the bill is signed into law, critics can file a case because our judicial sytstem is working. If there are contentious provisions, it can be declared as unconstitutional.]