To The Manila Times: Please allow us to set the record straight regarding your Dec. 4, 2020 editorial, which claimed, among other things, that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson has made it his “advocacy” to criminalize red-tagging.

Lacson still studying proposal to criminalize red-tagging

By The Manila Times, December 6, 2020

PLEASE allow us to set the record straight regarding your Dec. 4, 2020 editorial — ‘Criminalizing red-tagging is a bridge too far and unnecessary’ — which claimed, among other things, that Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson has made it his “advocacy” to criminalize red-tagging.

First, as chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation that conducted the hearings on the issue, Senator Lacson has the duty to study proposals brought up by resource persons at the hearings. The idea to criminalize red-tagging happened to be one such proposal.

Second, the senator has made it clear that the 1987 Constitution’s provisions ensuring freedom of expression and freedom of speech are a major factor in his study of any potential move to criminalize red-tagging.

While the senator has accepted that he cannot please everybody, this has not kept him from doing the right thing. Thus, rest assured he and his legislative staff, with our Constitution as their guide, will make the proper decision on the matter once they have finished their thorough study of it.

Make no mistake. Senator Lacson, having been in public service for at least 40 years, 30 of them in law enforcement, has remained steadfast in his stance to ensure peace and order.

This includes ending the insurgency that has claimed the lives of so many Filipinos — government forces, NPA guerrillas, and even innocent civilians caught in the crossfire — for more than 50 years. That said, this also includes ensuring there is no room for any potential abuse in such efforts.

Joel Locsin
Media Relations Officer
Office of Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson