European Parliament calls for end to red-tagging, killings in Philippines

This file photo shows a protester holding a photo of couple Chai Lemita at Ariel Evangelista, who are among the nine activists killed in the bloody Calabarzon raids on March 7, 2021.

Kilusang Mayo Uno / released

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:12 p.m.) — The European Parliament has approved a fresh resolution condemning "drug war" killings and the red-tagging of activists and journalists in the Philippines as it warned of possible trade sanctions if calls remained unheeded.

The resolution called on the Philippine government to immediately end violence and human rights violations targeting suspected drug offenders and to stop labeling human rights and environmental defenders, journalists and trade union activists as supporters and allies of communist rebels.

"In this regard, [the European Parliament] calls for the abolition of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in charge of carrying out red-tagging," the resolution read, which also urged the government to amend the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/02/18/2161699/european-parliament-calls-end-red-tagging-killings-philippines