[ad_1]
MANILA – The Human Rights Commission (HRC) on Saturday urged authorities to establish a clear set of guidelines that avoid red marks.
This, after the statements of Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr., an official of the government’s National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), allegedly marking celebrities such as Liza Soberano and Miss Universe 2018 in red. Catriona Gray on her recent comments in support of women’s rights.
CDH Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana maintained that a legal process must be followed before qualifying people as affiliated with communist insurgents.
“They should propose guidelines for these people on the ground … And they should wait for the legal means by which they can demonstrate that the organization or individual is communist or is carrying out insurgent acts against the government,” Gana said in an interview on ANC. .
“I think what is very alarming here is the fact that you are a person of authority, General Parlade. He comes in a position … where he can actually order action against him with this mere statement, “he added.
Defense Secretary Delfín Lorenzana denounced the controversial statements by the military officer on Friday, saying they have gotten out of hand.
Lorenzana added that officials should not freely label anyone as a local terrorist without any proof.
The commissioner previously criticized the military officer’s comments, saying his accusations were “tantamount to harassment and red labeling.”
The authorities, he said, should focus on promoting human rights rather than instilling fear and mistrust among Filipinos.
He also noted that high-ranking officials like Parlade must be careful and prudent enough when it comes to linking organizations to rebel activity.
“Has there been evidence that Gabriela is a clandestine organization or a front of a clandestine organization? I think it is a perfect example of red labeling. You jump to conclusions and you just name an organization or person that you are part of this movement, ”he said.
After the incident, Lorenzana said Friday that she would call a meeting with Parlade and the NTF-ELCAC to address the red tag issue.
Several public officials have also condemned Parlade, saying his comments were unwarranted.
Human Rights Commission, red labeling, CHR, Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr., Parlade, Secretary of Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Gwendolyn Pimentel-Gana, CHR Gana, Liza Soberano, red labeling issue, ANC
[ad_2]