The women’s group led by Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) picketed in front of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in Quezon City on June 16 to condemn the relentless Red-tagging, harassment, and systematic political persecution experienced by progressive women.

“This is not (a case of) plain defamation but a systematic attack to intimidate, silence, and prevent the people from participating in the democratic process. Instead of protecting women, the government itself leads the intimidation,” GWP representative Arlene Brosas said.

Since the US-Marcos regime implemented the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development (NAP-UPD) through Memorandum Circular 83 in May, the NTF-Elcac has intensified and toughened its Red-tagging against progressive organizations and parties under the Makabayan Coalition.

“They are not silencing only Gabriela. They also target ordinary people such as mothers, farmers, workers, and the youth who are fighting for their rights,” GWP deputy chairperson Sarah Elago added.

On June 4, NTF-Elcac attempted to revive the disqualification case against GWP and the suspension of the proclamation of the Kabataan Party-list, which it filed with the Commission on Elections in 2021 and 2019.

Gabriela called this attempt “a baseless and malicious attack, weaponizing Red-tagging, false information dissemination, and fabricating cases to silence critics of the state.”

According to the group, the attempt to revive the petition for disqualification against GWP shows desperation. “This is nothing but a fabricated case built on lies, false testimonies, and paid witnesses that have dragged on for six years. Comelec should have dismissed this long ago,” it said.

The group called for the abolition of NTF-Elcac and the billions in confidential and intelligence funds allocated to government agencies.

“They only use these for surveillance and red-tagging. These funds should instead be allocated to basic services for the people!” it stated.