Attacks on Activists in Philippines Continue Under the Farce of ‘Red-Tagging’

Salvador Romano, a human rights defender, was fatally shot on July 7 on the island of Negros in Philippines. Peasant leaders, activists, and trade unionists in Negros are facing constant attacks and violence from the state authorities. Rights organizations and unions are often linked to the banned Communist Party of Philippines or the New People’s Army to make them look illegal in a slander tactic called ‘red-tagging’. These kind of attacks are frequent against people questioning the regime and oppressive tactics employed by Rodrigo Duterte.