Red-tagging discussed during DND’s budget deliberation

During the ongoing budget hearing by Congress on funding from the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas asked why VAWC has not yet been held accountable for the cases filed against AFP personnel involved in the cases.

She said the victims continue to suffer. Brosas said of the 559 cases, 120 are still pending. She also questioned the funds allocated for the AFP.

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Brosas requested that they be given a copy of the list of resolved cases and those pending or undecided.

According to Cong. Ruffy Biazon, sponsor of the proposed 2022 budget of the Department of National Defense and the related agency worth P297.1 billion, there is under-utilization of the AFP budget, and the agency said they would fix it.

In the interpellation of ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, she asked about the closure of 10 AFP accounts where their budget was allegedly used. It is said that some accounts have not been closed based on the Commission on Audit report where the unused funds are set to be returned to the national treasury.

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According to Biazon, the closure of all accounts mentioned by Castro is already being processed.

Red-tagging discussed during DND’s budget deliberation

She also mentioned the alleged cash advances of 11,000 CAFGU and other AFP units where Castro is seeking DND liquidation. Biazon replied that the AFP would submit the liquidation of the documents of all Castro’s demands, some of which have already been submitted by the AFP to the COA.

Biazon requested that the AFP understand the operation as most of the mentioned units are in the field or provinces and have difficulty submitting the COA requirements for its auditing.

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Kabataan Partylist Rep. Sarah Elago mentioned the alleged harassment of various left-leaning youth groups and the media.

Red-tagging is the act of labeling, branding, naming, and accusing individuals and/ or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists or terrorists (used as) a strategy by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived to be ‘threats’ or ‘enemies of the State.’

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