Comelec urged to act on red-tagging incidents

The Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (MAKABAYAN) on Tuesday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to act on what it described as a series of red-tagging and harassment incidents targeting its candidates and volunteers during the campaign period.

In a letter addressed to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, the coalition said its campaign teams and volunteers have experienced several incidents that violate the poll body’s Fair Elections Guidelines.

"During the first half of the campaign period, MAKABAYAN candidates, campaign teams, and volunteers have faced several incidents of harassment, red-tagging, and other incidents that we believe violate the Fair Elections Guidelines of the Comelec for this election period," the coalition said in its letter addressed to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia.

MAKABAYAN, composed of Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, Kabataan Party-list, and ACT Teachers Party-list, cited negative campaigning, disinformation, and alleged misuse of state resources.

Among the reported incidents were:

• Red-tagging of Kabataan Party-list third nominee John Peter Angelo “JPEG” Garcia via social media and direct messages;

• Harassment of Gabriela Women’s Party fifth nominee Miriam Villanueva through messages allegedly sent by the AFP’s Second Infantry Division;

• Surveillance and attempts to block campaign sorties in Palawan involving suspected armed personnel on 16 March;

• Destruction and defacement of campaign materials in Calabarzon, replaced with red-tagging posters targeting MAKABAYAN candidates and groups.

ACT Teachers Rep. and senatorial candidate France Castro earlier appealed to the Comelec to remove AI-generated videos falsely linking her and other MAKABAYAN candidates to the New People’s Army.

The coalition also reported that soldiers allegedly blocked campaign volunteers of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol during the campaign of senatorial bet Danilo Ramos on 22 March.

Comelec Resolution No. 1116 classifies red-tagging as an election offense, noting that it distorts public perception and creates a climate of fear that undermines legitimate political discourse.