Women's group hits red- tagging of rights defender

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY-- Women's group Innabuyog-Cordillera assailed recent red- tagging against a lady human rights defender by group claiming to end insurgency.
    In a statement, the group expressed deep concern and aired support to Fortunata "Emi" Baroña Carreon, a leader of their alliance.
    "Emi has been unjustly subjected to red-tagging and is facing a blatant violations of her right to security committed by the elements of the National Task Force to End Local Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) since 2020.
    Innabuyog said it was disheartening to witness Emi being a victim of red-tagging. The group described red-tagging as a perilous practice that stigmatizes individuals often leading to harassment threats and even acts of violence.
    In a letter written in Ilokano, Carreon said that she was “disturbed by the unfair and baseless accusations of the NTF-ELCAC and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)” against her. "Makapakigtot, makapadanag, nadagsen ti riknak kadagiti padamag dagiti kakabsat ko a kinatkatongtong dagiti ahente ti NTF-ELCAC a mapanak kano agpaclear ken sungbatan dagiti akusasyon kanyak," (It is shocking, something to worry about and with a heavy feeling after knowing that my siblings had been told by agents of NTF-ELCAC to tell me to have my name cleared and answer the accusations against me), Carreon wrote.
    Her face and her name was included in the "Rogue Gallery" or a list of the Philippine Army of people suspected as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
    Carreon, a Baguio resident, said agents warned her if she will not be able to clear her name, she would be issued a warrant of arrest. 
    Carreon said that because of the latest harassment against her by state forces, she remembered their ordeal they experienced from the army decades ago.
    She narrated how she, her siblings and her village mates were harassed, accused of being NPA members and were taken hostage on Dec. 22, 1988.
    She said on that day, the army used them as human shields during an encounter between the government soldiers and NPA fighters in the boundary of Licuan and Lacub in Abra.
    She said the guns of the army were pointed to their backs while they were walking.
    She admitted she feared for her safety, but vowed not to give up of her commitment to serve the indigenous peoples especially women.
    "We vehemently condemn any attempts to intimidate, threaten or violate the rights of Emi or any individual engaged in the nobel pursuit of defending the rights of indigenous women. We call upon relevant authorities and institutions to adhere to the principles of justice, human rights, and democracy," Innabuyog stated.
    The group also called the “people to rise above prejudice and divisiveness, embrace shared humanity and uphold the principles of justice, compassion and equality.”
    "Ikkaten yo ti nagan ko iti listaan yo ta siguridad ko ti apektado. Nagiwarwaras kayo ti saan a pudno. Dayta to nalawag a basol," (Remove my name from your list as my security is affected. You spread things that are not true. That is a clear sin) Carreon said addressing people who red-tagged her. She said they should not belittle the decades where she seriously sacrificed her time and sincerely worked for the welfare of the people especially the indigenous women.