Leila de Lima, a notable human rights advocate and representative of the Mamamayang Liberal Party, has recently intensified her campaign against the practice of red-tagging in the Philippines. Red-tagging, which involves the practice of accusing individuals of being affiliated with communist insurgencies, has been under scrutiny for its impact on journalists, activists, and academicians, who often face accusations of treason and subversion.
In an announcement on Saturday, De Lima emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating her intention to propose legislation that would criminalize red-tagging in the upcoming 20th Congress of the Senate of the Philippines. A principal piece of this effort is House Bill No. 1431, the “Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Protection Act,” which aims to protect the rights of human rights defenders who face significant threats in their line of work. As De Lima noted, “They are just protecting our people, yet they continue to be under serious threat and their work has become extremely dangerous” (JURIST).
Highlighting the severity of this practice, a report by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development documented that the Philippines recorded the highest number of alleged abductions of human rights defenders in Asia from 2023-2024. The country also ranks first among 23 South Asian nations in terms of these abductions.
De Lima’s stance against red-tagging is rooted in her personal experiences, having been detained in 2017 on charges widely criticized as politically motivated. Her legal battles, which included challenges to the then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s policies, particularly the controversial “war on drugs,” culminated in her acquittal in June 2025.
The legal landscape concerning red-tagging saw a pivotal moment with the Supreme Court of the Philippines’ decision on July 4, 2023, in the case of Siegfred D. Deduro v. Major General Eric C. Vinoya. This landmark ruling identified red-tagging as a threat to individuals’ life, liberty, and security, a decision that was positively received by many human rights organizations, although some raised concerns about its limited scope.
Human rights organizations and other political figures continue to support De Lima’s efforts, emphasizing the need for robust legislative measures to prevent red-tagging and protect human rights defenders from unjust persecution. These initiatives aim to foster a safer environment for those who dedicate themselves to safeguarding democratic freedoms in the Philippines.