8 senators condemn red-tagging of community pantry organizers

Eight senators across party lines condemned the red-tagging of community pantry organizers by the police and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

They urged NTF-ELCAC and the police to stop profiling organizers of the bayanihan initiative, stating these pantries demonstrate the true bayanihan spirit amid the pandemic's hunger and poverty.

The statement was issued after Ana Patricia Non, founder of the Maginhawa Street community pantry, temporarily closed her initiative due to red-tagging by the Quezon City Police District and the NTF-ELCAC.

NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. denied red-tagging but admitted on Tuesday that they are checking the background of community pantry organizers.

The lawmakers stated that the profiling of organizers must stop as it puts people's lives in danger.

They also urged authorities to hold a dialogue with the organizers of the community pantries.

Senator Aquilino ''Koko'' Pimentel III advised that private initiatives like community pantries should remain private with minimal government involvement, suggesting the government's role should be limited to reminding people of health protocols and maintaining order.

The statement was signed by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, and Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, Francis Pangilinan, and Leila De Lima.