By Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

Four days before the midterm elections, red-tagging tarpaulins targeting Makabayan Coalition were posted along the road grills in front of Far Eastern University (FEU) Engineering Building last May 8.

One poster displayed the Kabataan Partylist (KPL), Gabriela Women’s Party, ACT - Teachers Partylist, and BAYAN Partylist logos edited with blood, tagging them as “terrorists.”

Meanwhile, another tarpaulin accused the whole Makabayan Senatorial Slate as part of the New People’s Army.

The tarpaulins were taken down in the afternoon of the same day.

In an online interview with FEU Advocate, KPL-FEU member Gabrielle Louisse Encomienda claimed that the red-tagging scheme was anti-democratic forces’ attempt to silence progressives and disturb public discourse in light of the upcoming midterm elections.

“Mariing kinokondena ng KPL-FEU ang ikinalat na mga red-tagging posters na nakapaskil sa tapat ng FEU Engineering Building kahapong Mayo 8. Sa nalalapit na eleksiyon, nagiging mas agresibo ang mga kontra-demokratikong puwersa sa kanilang layuning patahimikin ang mga makabayang tinig at lalo na ang kabataang may paninindigan (KPL-FEU strongly condemns the red-tagging posters posted in front of the FEU Engineering Building yesterday, May 8. With the upcoming election, anti-democratic forces are becoming more aggressive in their goal to silence patriotic voices and the progressive youth),” she said.

According to Encomienda, the increasing cases of red-tagging is a manifestation of the state’s fear over the masses’ growing call for change.

“Sa halip na tugunan ang mga lehitimong panawagan para sa edukasyon, katarungan, at makataong pamumuhay, pinipili nilang siraan at takutin ang mga partidong nagsusulong para sa interes ng masa (Instead of addressing legitimate calls for education, justice, and humane living, they choose to vilify and intimidate parties that advocate for the interests of the masses),” she added.

Moreover, the KPL-FEU member stated that such defamation is not only dangerous, but a direct affront to democracy along with human rights, particularly people’s right to express, organize, and participate in social affairs. 

Given that the malicious materials were posted in front of FEU, she further claimed how the scheme is not only an attack to the Makabayan Coalition, but to students’ capacity to exercise their democratic rights as well.

“Layunin nitong buwagin ang tiwala ng mga estudyante sa kanilang kakayahang magpahayag, magtanong, at makibahagi sa lipunan (Its purpose is to destroy students' faith in their ability to express, ask questions, and participate in society),” Encomienda underlined.

Furthermore, the KPL-FEU member encouraged the administration and the Tamaraw community to stand against red-tagging, claiming that educational institutions should instead foster critical thinking, freedom of expression, and democratic participation.

“Panahon na upang igiit ang ating karapatang makibaka para sa makatarungan at makabayang pagbabago. Hindi tayo matitinag sa harap ng pananakot (It is time to assert our right to struggle for just and patriotic change. We will not be swayed in the face of intimidation),” she urged.

Meanwhile, in a dialogue with FEU Advocate, FEU Safety and Security Office stated that they did not receive any reports about the tarpaulins.

The same set of tarpaulins has been observed outside different universities, such as the Philippine Normal University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines last April.

Last May 2024, the Philippine Supreme Court issued a major ruling declaring red-tagging, vilification, labelling, and guilt by association as a threat to people’s life, liberty, and security. As a result, it may justify the issuance of a writ of amparo.

Similarly, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released Comelec Resolution No. 11116 of the Anti-discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections setting discrimination and other unjust labeling such as red-tagging as punishable offenses last February.

However, according to Makabayan President Liza Maza, COMELEC has yet to respond to the coalition’s requests for investigation over their filed red-tagging complaints.

(Photos screen grab from Makabayan Coalition)