Indigenous groups strongly condemned the filing of candidacy of foremost Red-taggers under the previous Duterte regime. They are calling on the Commission on Elections to immediately disqualify the fake party, which they named “Epanaw Sambayanan Partylist,” which has registered for the 2025 party-list election.

“The nominees of Epanaw have no right to claim to represent the indigenous people,” KATRIBU National Convener Beverly Longid said. “Their wanton Red-tagging has endangered the lives of indigenous leaders, organizations, and communities.”

In 2022, the group Kontra Daya already identified the said party as an attack dog of the NTF-Elcac.

“The party-list system is meant to give voice to the oppressed and vulnerable sectors, not be an extension of state repression, which is represented by nominees such as (Marlon) Bozantog, (Lorraine) Badoy, and (Jeffrey) Celiz,” Longid said.

She called on the indigenous peoples not to allow being used by these three for the evil plans of the NTF-Elcac’s fake party-list. “This aims to intensify plunder and violence in our lands, and to break our unity,” she said.

Amirah “Mek” Lidasan, Sandugo co-chairperson and Koalisyong Makabayan senatorial candidate, condemned the fake party-list, saying that its task from the NTF-Elcac is a direct opposite of peace, development, and welfare of the indigenous peoples. “They are the ones leading the Red-tagging that results in bombing, killing, and displacement of indigenous communities,” she said.