The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has reiterated the importance of community pantries set up in many parts of the country to help those severely affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
But the CHR lamented that community pantry organizers “are under threat of profiling and surveillance by local law enforcement authorities and are subject to red-tagging across various accounts in social media."
CHR Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that community pantry organizers do not deserve this kind of red-tagging since their main goal is to help out marginalized members of society.
De Guia said that instead of creating a division between the government and the citizenry, everybody should just continue efforts to "build trust between one another" and utilize the spirit of bayanihan (cooperative effort) to address the long-term negative effects of the pandemic.
"The 'community pantry' of essential goods, which first emerged in Maginhawa Street, Quezon City with the purpose of aiding the community and fostering a shared mutual concern for one another, is a great initiative at a time when Filipinos need it the most," she said.
The CHR had called “red-tagging” as “political vilification” or “red-baiting.”
It said the United Nations Rapporteur on extra-judicial or arbitrary executions declared that victims of “red-tagging” are stereotyped or associated with communist groups, which is why they are targeted by the military or paramilitary units.
Should anyone fall victim to red-tagging, the CHR suggested that they reach out to the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the CHR through its CHR "Tanggol Karapatan Online" or E-lawyering service, CHR Investigation Office, or CHR Legal Division.
The CHR encouraged victims to report to their nearest police station or dial "117" in case of emergencies. The NBI office is situated at Taft Avenue in Ermita, Manila with the trunkline (02)86238231 to 38 and fax number (02)85261216 or (02)85237414. The NBI email is [email protected].
It said the CHR is located at the SAAC Building, UP Complex, Commonwealth Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City. Its hotlines are 09360680982 and 09205061194 while its email is [email protected].
It added that the CHR's Investigation Office can be reached at 09150770097 and 09503699026 while its Legal Division's email address is [email protected].