NTF-ELCAC: De Lima’s Renewed ‘Anti-Red-Tagging’ Push Emboldens Communist Terrorists, Silences Victims

June 07, 2025

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) strongly denounced Congresswoman-elect Leila De Lima’s renewed push to criminalize so-called "red-tagging," warning that her advocacy serves the interests of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and undermines the voices of victims and former rebels.

De Lima’s recent remarks—calling red-tagging a "threat to truth" and invoking "press freedom"—revive her 2020 bill seeking to penalize red-tagging with up to 10 years in prison and a lifetime disqualification from public office.

At a press conference, Atty. James Clifford Santos, spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC Legal Cooperation Cluster (LCC), cautioned that such proposals dangerously conflate legitimate national security efforts with press suppression, effectively shielding terrorist fronts from public scrutiny.

“Rep. De Lima’s proposal is rooted in a lie—the propaganda of the CPP-NPA-NDF that exposing their crimes constitutes red-tagging,” said Santos. “By adopting their narrative, she legitimizes their deceit and discredits the sacrifices of our security forces and former rebels who risk their lives to expose these atrocities.”

Santos noted the term “red-tagging” has no legal definition and is deliberately weaponized by communist fronts to silence dissent and evade accountability.

“Our use of the term is descriptive, not legally prescriptive,” Santos stressed. “This bill is not only unnecessary, it is dangerous. It risks criminalizing truth-telling and weakening our national security posture.”

He emphasized that government disclosures regarding the CPP-NPA-NDF are backed by sworn affidavits and public testimonies of former rebels who have defected and are now cooperating with authorities.

Former CPP-NPA-NDF rebels echoed these warnings, asserting that De Lima’s proposal would silence whistleblowers and embolden terrorist groups.

“This bill rewards terrorists and betrays victims like us,” said Arian Jane Ramos, a former Gabriela Youth member and New People’s Army cadre. “By criminalizing ‘red-tagging,’ Rep. De Lima is gagging those who reveal the truth. I left that life behind—I will not be silenced again.”

Rurelyn Bay-ao, an Indigenous youth leader and former rebel, condemned the move as an effort to cover up the exploitation of Indigenous communities.

“My parents were regional members of the CPP-NPA-NDF. Our school was used to train children in agriculture and first aid for the NPA,” Bay-ao shared. “This bill isn’t about protecting truth. It’s about protecting the Communist Party.”

Despite threats, these brave survivors vowed to continue speaking out and challenged De Lima to face the victims and listen to their testimonies.

NTF-ELCAC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding democratic freedoms and protecting Filipinos from the deceptive tactics of communist terrorist groups. Santos concluded by reiterating the LCC’s readiness to challenge any measure that endangers freedom of expression and public safety.

“Truth-telling is a public service,” he said. “Criminalizing it under the guise of protecting press freedom is not just misguided—it puts the nation at risk.”

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