Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Canada has called on the Canadian government to investigate the presence of National Task Force-Elcac personnel, pro-Duterte figure, and SMNI personality Jeffrey Celiz in the country. The group raised alarm at Celiz’s presence in Canada especially given his notoriety for Red-tagging activists and openly spreading disinformation.

Celiz is reportedly staying in Toronto, Canada. Based on his own Facebook post, he is in the country as part of “self-preservation” and to organize his “operations and activities” outside the Philippines. He did not clarify the reasons behind his departure from the Philippines.

Bayan-Canada outlined four demands to the government regarding Celiz’s stay in the country. The group asserted that Celiz should be investigated for his record of human rights violations and his activities in Canada.

Celiz is among the most fervent supporters and promoters of Duterte’s drug war and campaign of killings in the Philippines. He is also a leading Red-tagger, posing as a former New People’s Army high-ranking official targeting organizations such as Bayan-Canada and candidates of Makabayan Coalition in this election.

“Celiz has made his mark as a defender of human rights violators and an enemy of the people,” according to Bayan-Canada. They insist that he should be held accountable for his actions and not be allowed to freely move around Canada to spread lies and poison.

He should reportedly be treated like Josue Limmong Ahuday, a former Philippine National Police official involved in Duterte’s drug war, who was denied permanent residency by the Canadian government due to his involvement in the drug war.

Bayan-Canada also called to declare Celiz inadmissible or barred from operating in the country under Bill S-226 or Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act. The group further urged the Canadian government to protect Filipinos in Canada from Red-tagging, harassment, and political repression by state actors and individuals like Celiz.

Finally, Bayan-Canada called on the government to uphold its commitment to human rights by taking action against human rights violators.