EDITORIAL - Not even judges safe from red-tagging

Red-tagging has become more prevalent these days. First it was done to the people who didn’t wield any influence at all. We are talking about farmers’ group leaders, students, activists, and community organizers. Then came the turn of actresses and showbiz personalities.

And now it seems even the officials of the court are no longer safe from this dastardly move by some sectors.

Last February, Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio Quisumbing-Ignacio junked the charges filed against Lady Ann Salem and Rodrigo Esparago for illegal possession of firearms and explosives after finding the search warrant used in their arrest vague. She also said there were “substantial inconsistencies and contradictions” in the testimony and sworn statements of the informants and law enforcers involved in the arrest of the two.

However, according to a report in Philstar.com, a banner recently appeared along EDSA purportedly coming from the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army. The message on the banner was a “thank you” to the judge for freeing their “comrades” Salem and Esparago.

Of course, it smells fishy. Why would the CPP-NPA call attention to two of their “members” when they know it will only invite harassment and death threats at best, and attempts on their lives at worst.

While we cannot say for certain it was state forces or their agents who put up the misleading banner, who actually has the most to gain from such a display? Certainly it isn’t the judge, the two respondents, or the CPP-NPA itself. What would posting such a brazen message earn them but the ire of the people and more close scrutiny of their alleged members?

This goes without saying that the banner unfairly lumps the judge as among with those who are being tagged, whether rightly or wrongly, as enemies of the state. It also casts doubt on the capability of the court to decide on cases involving individuals under fire for alleged links to insurgents and also incites fear among officials of the court who are defending such clients.

We go to the courts for redress when we feel we have been treated unfairly. For some people in dire straits it is actually the last institution they can run to. It is a sad day indeed when even the courts are no longer safe from those who want to spread misinformation.