IBP: AFP's NPA List 'Ridiculous'
Photo Credit: Integrated Bar of the Philippines Facebook Page
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has denounced the inclusion of some of its members in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Information Exchange's list of UP students who allegedly became part of the New People's Army.
In a statement released on Monday, January 25, the IBP described the list as ridiculous red-tagging.
The statement comes after the AFP Information Exchange posted a list with the caption: 'Some of the UP Students who became NPA (Died or Captured)'.
Included in the list were IBP members Atty. Roan Libarios, Alexander Padilla, and Rafael Angelo Aquino.
"The named lawyers are not members of the NPA. They were never captured. They are very much alive, not dead. They are responsible and respected Filipino lawyers who serve well our country in various capacities and meaningfully contribute to nation-building," IBP National President and Chairman Domingo Cayosa said.
The IBP condemned the red-tagging as it compromises the security and safety of the subject persons, damages their reputations, causing distress to their families, friends, and loved ones.
"If lawyers and people of stature are put in jeopardy because of red-tagging, we cannot disregard the terror and prejudice that it brings to ordinary citizens who have no means or opportunity to clear themselves as they are unduly threatened, attacked, or even killed by the misguided and unscrupulous," Cayosa added.
On Sunday, the AFP Information Exchange apologized for the now deleted post.
"The Office of the J7, AFP is already conducting an internal investigation as to how the list got published. Personnel who are responsible will be held to account," the AFP Information Exchange said in a statement.
"We want to assure the public that we are now reviewing our processes and procedures to ensure that similar incident will not happen again in the future," it added.
In a statement released on Monday, January 25, the IBP described the list as ridiculous red-tagging.
The statement comes after the AFP Information Exchange posted a list with the caption: 'Some of the UP Students who became NPA (Died or Captured)'.
Included in the list were IBP members Atty. Roan Libarios, Alexander Padilla, and Rafael Angelo Aquino.
"The named lawyers are not members of the NPA. They were never captured. They are very much alive, not dead. They are responsible and respected Filipino lawyers who serve well our country in various capacities and meaningfully contribute to nation-building," IBP National President and Chairman Domingo Cayosa said.
The IBP condemned the red-tagging as it compromises the security and safety of the subject persons, damages their reputations, causing distress to their families, friends, and loved ones.
"If lawyers and people of stature are put in jeopardy because of red-tagging, we cannot disregard the terror and prejudice that it brings to ordinary citizens who have no means or opportunity to clear themselves as they are unduly threatened, attacked, or even killed by the misguided and unscrupulous," Cayosa added.
On Sunday, the AFP Information Exchange apologized for the now deleted post.
"The Office of the J7, AFP is already conducting an internal investigation as to how the list got published. Personnel who are responsible will be held to account," the AFP Information Exchange said in a statement.
"We want to assure the public that we are now reviewing our processes and procedures to ensure that similar incident will not happen again in the future," it added.
