The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has renewed its call to end the practice of red-tagging, urging all branches of the Philippine government to take immediate action to safeguard fundamental freedoms. The call is based on findings from the National Inquiry on the Current Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Philippines with a Focus on Incidents of Red-Tagging, conducted in 2025.
Inquiry Process and Findings
The inquiry was a participatory, nationwide effort that included public hearings, sworn statements, and expert inputs from government officials, legal practitioners, civil society groups, and human rights defenders. Proceedings were held across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to capture diverse experiences, though the CHR acknowledged limitations in participation and scope.
The inquiry found that red-tagging persists as a pattern of labeling individuals and groups as “communists,” “terrorists,” or “enemies of the State,” often without due process and through public and online platforms. Those affected include journalists, lawyers, students, labor leaders, Indigenous Peoples, and community organizers engaged in advocacy and civic work, as well as individuals voicing legitimate dissent on government policies.
Impact of Red-Tagging
Red-tagging is not a harmless label. It creates a real and well-founded risk of harm, exposing individuals to threats, harassment, and violence. The inquiry found that it may serve as a precursor to grave human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
The practice undermines the rights to life, liberty, security, expression, and association. It creates a chilling effect on dissent and weakens democratic participation. Despite existing legal remedies, the absence of a specific law penalizing red-tagging results in fragmented protection and limited accountability.
Calls for Action
The CHR calls for urgent and coordinated action across all branches of government:
- Executive: Adopt a comprehensive policy prohibiting red-tagging and strengthen mechanisms for prompt and impartial investigation of violations.
- Legislative: Enact a law that clearly defines and penalizes red-tagging, review existing counter-terrorism laws, and pass the CHR Charter to strengthen institutional protection.
- Judiciary: Revisit and strengthen protective writs such as amparo and habeas data, and ensure timely access to justice for victims.
The CHR emphasized that efforts to address security threats must remain anchored in human rights. Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism measures must not come at the expense of fundamental freedoms.
Addressing red-tagging requires sustained, coordinated, and rights-based action across all branches of government, as well as meaningful participation from civil society and other stakeholders. Upholding the dignity, safety, and freedom of human rights defenders is integral to strengthening democratic space and the rule of law.
