Manila, Philippines – The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC), through its Anti-Red-Tagging Monitoring Project, announces the launch of the Anti-Red-Tagging Monitoring Dashboard and the release of the initial findings of its Situation Report entitled “Unraveling the Web: The Red-tagging Situation in the Philippines.”
The Anti-Red-Tagging Monitoring Project aims to mitigate the growing threat of violence and impunity faced by activists and human rights defenders. The project’s primary goal is to prevent red-tagging from escalating into acts of intimidation and violence. By recognizing “tell-tale” signs and implementing preventive measures, the initiative seeks to safeguard individuals and organizations at risk. Utilizing public information and documented cases of human rights violations, the project identifies trends and patterns to monitor and respond to on-going red-tagging incidents effectively.
The project has two (2) key outputs:
1. Red-Tagging Monitoring Dashboard
The dashboard illustrates the number and statistics of validated online and offline red-tagging cases from January 2024 to June 2024. While the dashboard does not claim to show all red-tagging cases, it provides a validated snapshot of incidents within the specified period.
2. Situation Report
The situation report aims to raise public awareness about the gravity of red-tagging and its impact on safety and human rights. It presents an overview of the current red-tagging situation in the Philippines.
From January to June 2024, 456 red-tagging incidents were recorded under this Project. Significant surges occurred in February (72 incidents) and April (135 incidents), linked to high-profile cases and political events. The report also highlights hotspots: Region V (Bicol Region) reported the highest number of incidents (41), followed by Region I (Ilocos Region) with 32, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with 29. The data also found that women are red-tagged three times (3) more than men, with threats of sexual violence frequently reported, indicating a gender-based dimension to red-tagging.
The report shows an on-going crackdown characterized by a local ‘war on terror’, silencing of dissent, and a shrinking human rights space, with activists and human rights defenders facing severe threats both online and offline. The insights and recommendations provided aim to foster a safer environment for activists and ensure accountability for human rights violations.
For further information, please contact Atty. Billie Blanco at ahrc.law@ateneo.edu or +63 (02) 899-7691 ext. 2109.