Red-tagging, Islamophobia among key religious freedom issues in Philippines —US State Dept

MANILA, Philippines — Red-tagging of the clergy and church workers and the discrimination against Muslims are among practices affecting religious freedom in the Philippines, a recent US Department of State report identified.

In its 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom released on June 27, the State Department listed incidents from the past year involving the indictment and labeling of church workers as alleged communist members and sympathizers, as well as actions demonstrating discrimination against Muslims.

Red-tagging

Red-tagging, which the Supreme Court previously declared as a threat to “life, liberty and security” puts members of religious groups and organizations at “risk of intimidation and violence,” according to the State Department. It is the practice of labeling individuals or groups as communists, terrorists or subversives without enough proof and due process.

One instance noted was when the Regional Trial Court of Iligan City decided to convict the cashier of the Rural Missionaries-Northern Mindanao Region (RMP-NMR) on March 16, 2023 of 55 counts of violations of Republic Act 10168 and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

The RMP is a church-based national organization composed of the clergy and laypersons whose ministries cover farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples. They often work alongside activists and human rights organizations that educate their “flock” about their rights.

The State Department also cited the request for review of the acquittal of perjury charges against former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon against 10 human rights defenders. 

Among those charged were Wilfredo Ruazol of the Philippine Independent Church and Elenita Belardo, the national coordinator of the RMP. Both Ruazol and Belardo were acquitted on the ground of reasonable doubt by a Quezon City court in January 2023.

The State Department also mentioned the red-tagging of the now-suspended Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) owned by fugitive Apollo Quiboloy against Bishop Garardo Alminaza in February. 

Alminaza, who is known as a peace advocate between the government and the communist insurgents, has been tagged by the suspended network as a mouthpiece for the Communist Party of the Philippines. 

His advocacy has been called “diabolical and demonic” by SMNI broadcast hosts Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy who are facing multiple civil and criminal charges due to their red-tagging on air. 

The bishop slammed this allegation saying that he cannot be silenced amid violence and injustices.

Discrimination against Muslims

The report identified several instances of discrimination and abuse against Muslims, including degrading remarks online, on television, and from Senator Robin Padilla, himself a Muslim convert.

Producers of the Batang Quiapo television series on the FPJ network also issued an apology to the Muslim community after Rep.  Ziaur Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur, 1st District) criticized the portrayal of Muslim characters as "discriminatory, harmful, and derogatory."

Adiong in February 2023 stressed that TV producers should be mindful of the societal impact of their work and ensure they do not perpetuate hate speech and extremism.

Violations of Islamic dietary laws in prisons were also flagged by the agency.

Citing Padilla and the Commission on Human Rights, the State Department mentioned the “limited availability” of Halal food options for Muslim inmates due to the limited budget for detention facilities and the jail’s high crowding rate. Halal food is permissible for consumption under Islamic law, as defined in the Quran, the Muslims' holy book.

According to the Supreme Court, 70% of detention facilities under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology are overcrowded, with an average congestion rate of 386%.

Recent data from the National Commission for Muslim Filipinos showed that there are over 12 million Muslims in the Philippines. 

How the US Embassy is engaged

In response to issues idenfitied affecting religious freedom in the country, US Embassy officers held discussions with officials from the Commission on Human Rights and the Presidential Human Rights Committee, the report noted.

They also met with representatives of the Catholic bishops conference and the Protestant ecumenical leaders in the Philippines to address the status of religious freedom in the country and the challenges faced by church workers.

American embassy officers are also working with the Philippines' national penal system to produce a “peace education manual” emphasizing “religious tolerance concepts” and best practices to help prison authorities recognize and address religious extremism among convicted prisoners.