A Catholic congregation in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, condemned the alleged red-tagging against them.
Fr Alex Bercasio, superior of the Redemptorist Laoag Mission Community, said on Wednesday that on July 22, a tarpaulin was hung with a message that they were related to or were supporters of the communists.
Bercasio is worried about this, especially since many of those associated with the communists are in danger.
He clarified, they are church people and not communists.
“Hindi kami komunista, we are Redemptorist missionaries. Kami po ay taong-simbahan na naglilingkod sa mga tao,” said Bercasio.
In a statement issued by Rev Fr Victorina Cueto, superior of the vice-province of Manila of the said congregation for the past 15 years, the Redemptorists Laoag Mission Community has been active in serving those in need during the disaster and even now pandemic.
“With deep concern for the poor, the community members have provided assistance to different sectors who are in need, such as farmers, workers, indigenous people, and many others. In times of calamity, they were among the first to extend support through relief operations and rehabilitation,” said Cueto.
Catholic congregation in Laoag City red-tagged
The group also organized mobile kitchens to distribute food and medical supplies for the frontliners of this pandemic.
They also distribute food packs to those affected by the lockdown. Cueto also shared that the group also helps students to graduate from college through a scholarship program.
He lamented that despite the missions to help the community, the group was red-tagging them.
“In conscience, this unfounded accusation must be vehemently denounced. They are not communists or even their supporters. They are Redemptorists who follow the missionary vocation to serve the poor and most abandoned!” said Cueto.
They demanded that such practices be stopped by religious institutions and that such red-tagging be investigated and dealt with by the government.
Without proof, several individuals and groups have been accused of being communist supporters or rebels under the Duterte administration.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.