WHAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY a peaceful yet meaningful protest against systemic corruption turned into a golden opportunity for alleged state agents to take a “closer look” at the students of what was once regarded as the country’s bastion of student activism
During a walkout staged by students of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and Kabataan Partylist members, two individuals in civilian clothes were caught “spying” on and harassing participants of the event held at the PUP Main Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila on October 10.
SPURIOUS IDENTITIES
When students forming part of the protest approached the two, the suspects quickly ran away but were subsequently stopped at the guard post by Student Council officers.
Upon investigation, authorities found that the names on their visitor passes did not match the ones on their official IDs.
The suspects confessed to infiltrating the campus to ask about “NTAF,” but there is no department or program in PUP with that name.
They also admitted to taking photos of Kabataan Partylist leaders, members, and other protest participants but refused to show their phones or delete the photos.
INTELLIGENCE AGENTS
Only after the suspects were brought to the Campus Security Office were they forced to delete the photos on the grounds of violating the students’ privacy and security.
Authorities later discovered that the suspects were either military personnel or had connections with the military based on their social media accounts.
“Liban dito, marami ring mga ulat ng intelligence agents na umaaligid at kumukuha ng litrato habang may rally.” (Apart from this, there are also many reports of intelligence agents loitering around and taking photos during rallies) Kabataan Partylist added.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Meanwhile, Wellyssa Espiritu Torne, a paralegal from PUP, said that while the images had been deleted, she is certain they were already sent around in government intel group chats.
“Sila iyong dalawang katapat ko. Nakangiti sila dahil paalis na sila noong time na ito. Pero noong sinabi ko na kapag nakatanggap ako ng red-tagging sa kung sino man bilang paralegal na humarap, kilala ko na ang mukha nila at doon sila natawa. Palibhasa, mga tuta ng estado eh.” (They were the two people in front of me. They were smiling because they were about to leave at that time. But when I said that if I ever get red-tagged by anyone, as a paralegal, I already know their faces — that’s when they laughed. Typical state lapdogs.) she added.
Red-tagging is the labeling of individuals or organizations as communists, subversives, or terrorists, regardless of their actual political beliefs or affiliations. It is a type of harassment and has pernicious effects on its targets.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
Interestingly, the incident at the PUP Sta. Mesa Campus is not the first time that alleged state agents have been caught spying on independent groups.
Sometime in August this year, members of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) caught a spy who introduced himself as Miguel Richard Gerardo Castro, an employee of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
According to the group, Castro had been contacting leaders and members of its Navotas Chapter, asking them to provide information about the organization and its activities in exchange for financial assistance.
The group then arranged for a member to meet Castro at a fast-food chain, where they bravely confronted him.
JUST LIKE IN MOVIES
The following scenes which were documented through videocams saw Castro stood up and tried to flee after being confronted.
He ran outside the fast-food chain and into a nearby supermarket, still pursued by the group, before finally sprinting to a nearby police station, where he sought refuge.
Police personnel prevented Pamalakaya members from confronting and recording video of the suspect.
In a statement on September 1, BFAR disowned Castro and condemned the incident, notably missing, however, was any mention of an investigation into the matter.
RED-TAGGING MISSION
Both groups concluded that such acts are tied to red-tagging.
“Dapat imbestigahan ang insidente na ito, at panagutin ang mga naniniktik at umaatake sa kabataan. Buwagin na dapat ang NTF-ELCAC at ilipat ang pondo sa edukasyon at iba pang serbisyo!” (This incident must be investigated, and those spying on and attacking the youth must be held accountable. The NTF-ELCAC should be abolished, and its funds redirected to education and other public services!) said Kabataan Partylist in a statement.
“We also urge the Commission on Human Rights to expedite the investigation we requested into the continuing human rights violations, harassment, and red-tagging against fisherfolk communities in Navotas,” reads part of Pamalakaya’s press release.