(Manila) – The Philippine government should end the “red-branding” of activists as rebels or supporters of the communist insurgency, Human Rights Watch said today, by releasing a video about the threatening practice and its impact. The video features a human rights activist, labor rights defender and journalist whom authorities have marked red.

Red tagging, also known as red baiting, has been used for decades in the Philippines in the government’s campaign against the communist New People’s Army (NPA), which began in 1969. The counterinsurgency efforts of the government include public accusers, journalists, politicians, and others and their organizations of being directly involved in fighting or supporting the NPA. The Philippine military has long been responsible for a large number of extrajudicial executions and tortures of so-called communists.

“Red-marking is a pernicious practice that targets people who often end up being harassed or even killed,” said Carlos Conde, senior Philippines researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Red marking is rapidly shrinking the space for peaceful activism in the Philippines.”

Red-marking has become deadlier since Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016. Duterte established the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), with billions of pesos at his disposal, making red marking the official policy of his government. The task force is composed and led by former military officials. He makes a red mark through his social media posts and official statements.

Civil society groups have called for the task force to be terminated or terminated. National human rights groups argue that the task force’s red flag often precipitates violence against appointees. Karapatan, a national human rights group whose members are often the target of red tags, says dozens of red-marked activists have been killed or arrested. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced these killings.

In the Human Rights Watch video, Cristina Palabay, general secretary of Karapatan, describes how she was harassed and threatened with rape and violence as part of the red flag. Mylene Cabalona, ​​president of the BPO Industry Employees’ Network, says her work advocating for the welfare of call center workers has led to online threats, including accusations of rebel links. Cong Corrales, editor of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily, a newspaper in the southern Philippines, claims that he and his family have been accused of being communist supporters because of his writings.

“Red-tagging is a key part of the Philippine government’s abusive campaign against critical activists, journalists and politicians,” Conde said. “The United Nations, the European Union and influential governments should not just denounce red marking, but publicly call on President Duterte to end this murderous practice.”