SC warns of possible contempt actions vs red-tagging
The Supreme Court on Tuesday warned that those who threatened or threatened violence against a judge and her family could face contempt charges and imprisonment.
The warning comes after the police said they would investigate a social media attack on Manila District Court Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar allegedly made by Lorraine Badoy, a former spokeswoman for the anti-communist task force, after Judge Malagar refused a government plea to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army as terrorist groups.
“The Court sternly warns those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means, which endanger the lives of judges and their families, and that this shall likewise be considered a contempt of this Court and will be dealt with accordingly,” the justices said in a statement.
In their en banc session Tuesday, the justices also tackled “possible actions” against Badoy, the former spokesperson of the National Task Force for the Elimination of the Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
In denying the government’s case against the CPP-NPA, Magdoza-Malagar held that the communist movement was not organized for the purpose of engaging or committing terrorism.
The judge also cautioned those who had a propensity for red tagging, saying it put the lives of activists in danger.
Lawyers’ groups, including the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Free Legal Assistance Group, have also rebuked the “red-tagging” against Magdoza-Malagar as they seek steps to address the matter.
