Red-tagging, Islamophobia among key religious freedom issues in Philippines —US State Dept

MANILA, Philippines — Red-tagging of the clergy and church workers and the discrimination against Muslims are among practices affecting religious freedom in the Philippines, a recent US Department of State report identified.

In its 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom released on June 27, the State Department listed incidents from the past year involving the indictment and labeling of church workers as alleged communist members and sympathizers, as well as actions demonstrating discrimination against Muslims.

Red-tagging, which the Supreme Court previously declared as a threat to “life, liberty and security” puts members of religious groups and organizations at “risk of intimidation and violence,” according to the State Department. It is the practice of labeling individuals or groups as communists, terrorists or subversives without enough proof and due process.

One instance noted was when the Regional Trial Court of Iligan City decided to convict the cashier of the Rural Missionaries-Northern Mindanao Region (RMP-NMR) on March 16, 2023 of 55 counts of violations of Republic Act 10168 and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.

The RMP is a church-based national organization composed of the clergy and laypersons whose ministries cover farmers, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples. They often work alongside activists and human rights organizations that educate their “flock” about their rights.

The State Department also cited the request for review of the acquittal of perjury charges against former National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon against 10 human rights defenders. 

Among those charged were Wilfredo Ruazol of the Philippine Independent Church and Elenita Belardo, the national coordinator of the RMP. Both Ruazol and Belardo were acquitted on the ground of reasonable doubt by a Quezon City court in January 2023.

The State Department also mentioned the red-tagging of the now-suspended Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) owned by fugitive Apollo Quiboloy against Bishop Garardo Alminaza in February. 

Alminaza, who is known as a peace advocate between the government and the communist insurgents, has been tagged by the