The phenomenon of red-tagging has been happening for decades but has intensified in the last few years under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, following the breakdown of peace talks between the government and the CPP in 2017. Duterte’s subsequent  Executive Order (EO) 70 provides for a “Whole-of-Nation approach in defeating the Local Communist Terrorist Groups” and led to the creation of the NTF-ELCAC. Observers point to this moment in time as the beginning of a renewed campaign of red-tagging, threats and harassment against human rights defenders, political activists,  lawyers, trade unionists and other targeted groups perceived to be affiliated with the progressive left.

Even the COVID-19 pandemic was not enough to stifle the spirit of protest in the Filipnos. During the strictest period of the lockdown in April 2020, several dozen protesters gathered in Quezon City demanding food and cash aid from the government. 21 of them were arrested for rallying without a permit and the local government strongly asserted that food packs had been continuously distributed throughout the city. 54 

Another protest that came together somewhat organically and was facilitated by technology was the Million People March on August 26 of 2013. What started as a Facebook post turned into a rallying cry against corruption and culminated with 100,000 people in Manila and more in other cities. The call of protestors was the abolition of the “pork barrel” or the discretionary funds given to lawmakers for their pet projects. The scandal came to a head when accusations of $232 million in government funds intended for farmers were instead funneled into ghost projects and stolen. Following August 26 several other protests were held calling for transparency and the accountability of those who stole the funds. 40 

When Aquino assumed power, farmers were initially hopeful that their cause would finally be won but as time wore on and no progress was made, they grew discontent. On 15 January 1987, farmers from Kilusang Magbubukid sa Pilipinas camped outside of the Ministry of Agrarian Reform with three demands: give lands to farmers for free; zero retention of land by landlords; and stop amortization of land payments. They met with MAR officials including the Minister himself, but they were unsatisfied that all they were offered was for the issue to be brought up to the President in a Cabinet meeting or to wait for the ratification of the 1987 Constitution. After a few days camped outside the building, and one day when they barricaded the building not allowing employees in to work, they marched to Mendiola. 32 

In 1985, President Marcos Sr. was being pressured by the public and his US allies to declare a snap elections. A group of military officials had also organized a group a few years prior and just went public to call for reforms in the military. In secret, they were planning a coup for the end of the year. However, Marcos Sr. Surprised everyone when he announced on US television that he was declaring snap elections and that he would be running for office. Just two months after an organization formed to call for her Presidency, Cory Aquino – widow of the assissinated Ninoy Aquino – received a petition with more than a million signatures drafting her to run against Marcos. 21 

The Lapiang Malaya movement formed in the 1940s and was part political, part religious organization. In May 1967 their leader called on then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos to resign so a government formed of their movement could take over. More than 500 members gathered at their headquarters along Taft Avenue in Pasay City in what began as a peaceful demonstration. The Philippine Constabularly repeatedly attempted to break up the assembly which eventually boiled over into violence on both sides – with 32 members of Lapiang Malaya killed and over 300 more arrested and taken to Camp Crame. In the aftermath, the Philippine Constabularly came out with alleged reports that the group was linked to communists to justify their actions.5 

One of the earliest recorded protests in the Philippines was a massive rally staged by the first workers’ union in the country, the Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas, which called for an eight-hour workday and the recognition of May 1 as a public holiday. Over 100,000 people attended, and members of the group were arrested and harassed even in the succeeding months.1 

It is a fundamental right to be able to exercise our freedom to protest peacefully in safe spaces anywhere in the world. But this right is under attack, threatened by those in power – scared of the change people power can bring. So it is important for you to come prepared when joining protest demonstrations. Here are Amnesty’s Handy Protest Safety Packs which includes information on personal security, safety from tear gas, water cannon, how to deal with vicarious trauma and self care. Share to everyone you know, and stay safe while standing up for your freedom!

In Turkey, since May 1995, relatives of people who “disappeared” in police custody have been holding a weekly vigil in central Istanbul, demanding that the authorities account for the fate of their loved ones. They are known as the ‘Saturday Mothers’, since they gather every Saturday at midday in front of Galatasaray High School in Istiklal Street, holding pictures of their “disappeared” sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers, brothers.

In Iran, between 2017 and 2018, tens of thousands took to the streets to protest against poverty, corruption, repression and authoritarianism. Around 5,000 protesters were arbitrarily detained in a protest in January, and 25 were killed, and more than 100 were arrested in a protest in July/August and at least one person was killed.

In 2019, Chile saw mass protests to demand greater equality and human rights. The authorities responded with violent repression and criminalization, excessive use of force, and discriminatory and disproportionate use of pre-trial detention. A state of emergency was declared, and the army was deployed in the streets alongside the military police, the Carabineros.