ILOILO City – Councilor Carlos “Jojo” Javellana challenged those red-tagging activists here to come out in the open and provide evidence.
Javellana, chairman of the city council’s committee on police matters, said he is coordinating with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) regarding the reappearance of posters tagging as rebels several members and leaders of progressive groups.
“Dapat may ebidensya ka…budlay man nga hearsay lang kay anybody maka red-tag sa imo,” said Javellana.
According to the councilor, ICPO director Police Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos has launched an investigation.
He, however, dismissed the possibility that the red-tagging was done in line with the Community Support Program of the Philippine Army in the city’s insurgency-affected barangays.
“Basi coincidental lang,” said Javellana.
Among those red-tagged were youth leader Lean Porquia, son of slain activist Jory Porquia; Bryan Bosque of Bayan Muna-Panay; lawyers Teofisto Melliza and Joebert Pahilga of the National Union of People’s Lawyers; Lucy Francisco of Gabriela-Panay; Irish Inoceto of Iloilo Pride Team; John Ian Alenciaga of Altermedya Panay; and Maura Abellon of Kadamay-Panay.
The posters described them as “qualified” to avail themselves of the Enhanced Community Livelihood Integration Program (E-CLIP), the government’s reintegration program for surrendering rebels.
In a statement, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Panay slammed the red-tagging.
It urged the city government to conduct an investigation, hold accountable those behind the “senseless and baseless” posters, and defend activists and human rights advocates.
Meanwhile, members of progressive groups Bayan Muna, Kadamay, Gabriela and the family of murdered activist Jory Porquia had a dialogue with Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon yesterday.
The group sought the city’s support in expediting the case of Porquia – Iloilo City coordinator of the partylist group Bayan Muna – as well as steps to be taken by the city government to ensure the safety of activists in this city.
Armed men shot Porquia to death at his house in Arevalo district on April 30, 2020./PN
