An article published by the Philippine News Agency claimed that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong supports the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’s (NTF-ELCAC) counterinsurgency approach after the mayor clarified that he never allied with groups affiliated with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The article was referring to a press briefing called by Magalong where he answered the red-tagging accusations hurled against him by the League of Parents of the Philippines after the mayor attended a voters’ education event hosted by Kabataan Party-list.

The article also went on to say that Magalong has a “high regard” for how NTF-ELCAC has been fighting insurgency in the country, saying that he would want the next administration to continue its programs.

CLAIM:

Baguio City mayor supports NTF-ELCAC’s counterinsurgency approach

RATING:

MISSING CONTEXT

FACTS:

While Magalong has indeed stated that the NTF-ELCAC “has good programs and its accomplishments against insurgency are unprecedented,”  in the press briefing he organized last March 22, the PNA article glossed over the fact that the said briefing was called by the retired police general to answer red-tagging accusations hurled against him.

In the said press conference, Magalong expressed dismay for the “sudden attack” against him even though he serves as chair of the Regional Peace and Order Committee and co-chair of the regional ELCAC. “All they have to do is verify their facts. We have what we call fact-checking, due diligence, and due process,” Magalong said, referring to how he was red-tagged just because he attended an event arranged by a progressive youth organization, and has forbidden the posting of red-tagging posters and tarpaulins in Baguio City.

The PNA article made it appear that Magalong has expressed absolute support for NTF-ELCAC, conveniently leaving out details on how the mayor has criticized NTF-ELCAC officials for its red-tagging attacks.

“I did not expect to be exposed to this kind of attack without any basis at all — without due process,” Magalong was quoted as saying.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

The NTF-ELCAC has been notorious for haphazardly red-tagging individuals and groups. The lives of red-tagging victims are – more often than not – put in danger, prompting various human rights groups and even the United Nations to repeatedly call on the government to stop such attacks.

Red-tagging attacks have become more pervasive in recent months, with NTF-ELCAC officials like Badoy even targeting Magalong, who is an RTF-ELCAC official. Despite this situation, the PNA practically ignored how Magalong hit back against red-tagging by releasing an article that grossly left out essential messages in the press briefing it was supposedly reporting on. Instead of accurately reporting the press briefing, the PNA seemed to stave off Magalong’s criticism of the task force by saying the mayor “supports NTF-ELCAC.”

“The best way to defeat an insurgency is through good governance.  It is not only about delivering basic services but mainly through innovation, transformation, competent leadership, and respect for human rights,” Magalong stressed, noting that he does not condone acts that violate the human rights of activists, in turn slamming Presidential Communications Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy for “irresponsibly” red-tagging him.

Such a move committed by a publicly funded government institution, speaks volumes on how taxpayers’ money is being brazenly used to propagate half-truths and peddle the agenda of a select few. –Maez Estrada and Joseph Gloria

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