UN rapporteur asks DOJ about red-tagging, killings

MANILA, Philippines —  Concerns on red-tagging, media killings and impunity were raised by United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan during her meeting with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials yesterday.

During a dialogue at the DOJ office in Manila, Khan asked agency officials whether red-tagging is a policy of the government, according to DOJ Undersecretary Raul Vasquez.

“We said it is not a policy,” Vasquez said at a press briefing.

DOJ Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes Andres said they told Khan that the government would pursue cases against state or non-state actors who are involved in the red-tagging of individuals.

Justice officials told Khan that the government encourages alleged victims of red-tagging to bring evidence before the DOJ so that they can pursue appropriate cases against the perpetrators.

Andres also said that they gave assurance to Khan that the government has “sufficient mechanisms” to address red-tagging, including engaging with civil society organizations.

He noted that some victims may be more confident in approaching civil society organizations in handling their cases and the organizations themselves can help gather evidence and complement the efforts of law enforcement agencies.

“That is how we believe we can bridge the gap, especially to address red-tagging. We need to build confidence with civil society organizations that their advocacies are equally our advocacies and we are partners with them in pursuing these advocacies,” Andres said.

Khan also asked for updates concerning the deaths of four media personalities, including broadcaster Percy Lapid, raising concerns of impunity against media practitioners, according to the DOJ officials.

Vasquez said they assured Khan that the government has been engaged in reforms to protect members of the media, among which is the proposed amendment of Administrative Order No. 35, which is a government mechanism for the investigation of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and grave violations of human rights.

The proposal is to include in AO 35’s operational guidelines a “more proactive stance” of prosecutors in coordinating and partnering with law enforcement agents in building up cases “at its inception,” according to Andres.    –  Janvic Mateo