BASED on the decision of the Supreme Court, ‘red-tagging’ can be considered a threat to life, liberty and security.
But, for former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo, what the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) did was not a threat.
He said the AFP was only doing its job.
“You know, the petitioner there. I’m sure the person from the Armed Forces of the Philippines who identified that…They have due diligence on that – they saw [he] really was a member. So, when you are classified [as one], you are really a member,” stated Atty. Salvador Panelo, Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.
Atty. Panelo added, it is only natural for the government to defend itself against those who wish to topple it down.
“When you join the movement and you want to overthrow the government, naturally, the government has what is called a ‘natural instinct of self-preservation’. It has to defend itself. So, for me, I disagree with that decision of the Supreme Court,” Panelo added.
According to the Supreme Court, the Philippine military gave a presentation on the 19th of June, 2020, showing Siegfred Deduro who is known to be linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines.
Panelo’s advice, people shouldn’t bother joining the Communist Party of the Philippines if they don’t wish to be associated with the group.
“Now, for me, what I think about those complainants, those petitioners – you entered into that. You want to be a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Then, when you are surveillanced, sued, you will cry? You are cry babies,” Panelo expressed.
“You want to be a member or a supporter, why would you be ashamed and why would you complain that you are,” he added.
