Certain administration officials habitually red-tag. Targeted are not only political oppositionists. Artists, clerics, academics, journalists, trade unionists, environmentalists, health activists, youth leaders and rights lawyers too have been victimized. Even outspoken netizens and organizers of “community pantries” or free food for the hungry are profiled. Contrary opinion – free thought – mechanically is labeled as “communist, terrorist, subversive.” Yet the red-taggers don’t ever denounce Communist China. Why? Red-tagging distracts, divides and demoralizes the people. Exaggerated in the public mind is the threat of scattered barrio rebel bands that good governance and policing can curb. The impression is that more infantry are needed for internal counter-insurgency, drawing resources away from naval and air external defense. That plays right into the desired scenario of the region’s duplicitous bully.

Bondoc, J. (2021, April 23). Why can't red-tagging officials denounce Communist China? The Philippine Star, p. 9.