UN special rapporteur urges DOJ to look into issues of red-tagging, media killings

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) --- A United Nations expert prodded the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday to pay close attention to the issues of red-tagging and media killings, officials said.

The Department of Justice representatives met in Manila with special rapporteur Irene Khan, who is on visit to assess the state of freedom of speech and expression.

"Yung sinasabi niyang issue ng red-tagging na sinagot naman natin; yung sinasabi niyang impunity against media practitioners kasi ayun ang linya niya – freedom of expression; as well as yung efforts ng Department of Justice in preventing such impunity," Justice Uundersecretary Raul Vasquez said in a media briefing when asked about the issues that the UN special rapporteur urged them to look into.

[Translation: She mentioned about the issue on red-tagging which we already addressed. She also mentioned of the impunity against media practitioners, because she is pushing for freedom of expression. She also asked about the efforts of the Department of Justice in preventing such impunity.]

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier drew flak for justifying that red-tagging is part of democracy. But the department said labeling anyone as an enemy of the state is not a government policy.

“We explained that there is no policy of red tagging from this government. If there were individual cases that need to be addressed where red tagging happened, we ask all of the complainants and evidence be brought forth to the Department of Justice and we will pursue appropriate cases against those involved in red tagging,” said Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres in the briefing.

“If there is a state actor or even a non-state actor that is involved in red tagging, we will pursues cases against this individual to show that it is indeed the present state policy,” he added.

The DOJ also explained to the UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression that not all of the media killings have a direct relation to press freedom or freedom of expression.

“What we discovered is while they are media personalities, the reason behind their death is personal vendetta, money, love triangle,” said Andres. “Not really related to freedom of expression even if the victims themselves were media personalities. That is the angle we’re presenting.”

The DOJ assured Khan that it is ready to provide assistance and protection to all victims of human rights violations.

“We again reiterate our offer to any victim or their families or relatives to come forth and seek the assistance of the Department of Justice,” Vasquez said, adding the DOJ will "pursue with greatest vigor cases that are brought to us by any affected individual,”

Khan arrived in Manila on Monday and will stay until Feb.2. She is expected to visit state institutions and government agencies in Metro Manila, Baguio City, Cebu, and Tacloban.

With reports from CNN Philippines senior correspondent Anjo Alimario and senior multi-platform news writer Vince Ferreras