The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday called the terrorist-tagging posters that were put up by unknown culprits in Barangay Maa, Davao City as "irresponsible and illegal."
(MANILA BULLETIN)
CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said nine individuals were tagged as terrorist recruiters and their names and photos were published in the posters.
She expressed grave concern over the posters especially now that the Anti-Terror Law is in effect. Without any protection mechanisms set in place by the government, any individual who is tagged as a terrorist faces high risk of threats, violence, and other forms of harassment, she said.
"We hope that this newly enforced policy to suppress counterinsurgency in the country would not be leveraged by any institution in justifying such indiscriminate labeling as we have previously expressed our reservations on the said law," she said.
De Guia added that the posters put up in Davao City send a chilling effect to the exercise of freedom of expression and opinion.
The CHR has called on city government authorities to immediately facilitate proper investigation of the case and hold perpetrators accountable.
It said that the government must do its part to end to the series of intimidation against people who have openly expressed grievance against the government.
The CHR regional office will conduct an independent probe regarding the terrorist-tagging posters.
"We cannot underscore further the need to prevent any form of attacks both from State and non-State forces against those engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms," she said. "Attacks against them are (a) direct assault to the enjoyment of human rights of every Filipino."