ILOILO City – Leaders of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Panay Island have filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing two military officers of red-tagging, harassment, and intimidation.
The move aims to hold the officers accountable for alleged grave misconduct and violations of constitutional and civil rights, according to Elmer Forro, secretary-general of BAYAN Panay, and Kim-Sin Tugna, spokesperson of BAYAN Aklan.
The respondents were Staff Sergeants Nathan Dela Cruz and Ernel Mallan Mendoza of the 3rd Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
According to the complainants, the officers repeatedly used their radio programs, Spearhead Times and Sundalo Ako ng Bayan, to link BAYAN members and other activists to the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
The programs, broadcast on both radio and social media, allegedly promoted baseless accusations that endangered the lives and safety of BAYAN members and other human rights defenders.
Dela Cruz and Mallan could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
The complaint cites the Supreme Court’s July 2023 decision in Deduro vs Vinoya, which declared red-tagging as a serious threat to life, liberty, and security.
The ruling noted that red-tagging often precedes abductions, violence, or extrajudicial killings. Additionally, Articles 26 and 32 of the Civil Code mandate respect for dignity and privacy, values that red-tagging flagrantly violates.
Allegations of Harassment
In their Ombudsman filing, the complainants detailed additional allegations. Tugna accused the 3rd CMO Battalion of labeling him a supporter of the CPP-NPA-NDF and targeting BAYAN with disinformation campaigns. Alleged misogynistic remarks against activist Rovelyn Tugna were also cited, citing violations of the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313)./PN
