The Duterte regime’s latest target of state repression are members of the union Sandigan ng mga Empleyadong Nagkakaisa sa Adhikain ng Demokratikong Organisasyon or SENADO. The director-general of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency himself, in tune with the NTF-ELCAC, maliciously linked the union to the armed movement, making its members targets of threats and attacks. The NTF-ELCAC also named its leader as a “Party operative”, and that the union “hijacked” the programs and plans of the reactionary state.

Unionists said that the attack was a response to the objection of the released memo of the Department of Interior and Local Government, red-tagging legitimate unions and progressive organizations supporting COURAGE.

Meanwhile, the senate recognizes the union which has already negotiated three times for their rights, interests, and staunch leadership of employees in the institution. Unionists also have successfully pushed for their calls through COURAGE. They hold that COURAGE has been at the forefront in advancing legitimate calls for employees — from increased wages and proper benefits, security, to human working conditions in accordance to the law.

In response to the accusations, all four senators – Franklin M. Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, Leila de Lima, and Francis Pangilinan condemned the red-tagging incident in a joint statement. According to Senate President Tito Sotto, he is open to “investigating” the members of the union if the NICA provides a list of those it accused as members of the Party. At the same time, Sotto said that he is also open to criminalizing red-tagging.