Atty. Dickpus urges dialogue, due process over red-tagging at Kalinga human rights summit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Lawyer Charisma Anne Dickpus and Save Kalinga member called for dialogue among communities, government agencies, and the security sector in addressing concerns over alleged red-tagging, stressing that peaceful advocacy should not automatically be associated with insurgency.

Dickpus made the call during the “Tongtongan Karbengan: Multi-Stakeholders Summit on Human Rights” held on September 19, 2026, at the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon Conference Hall in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

The summit, organized by the Justice and Peace Advocates of Kalinga (JPAK), Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), and the Human Rights Cities Consortium led by CWEARC, brought together people’s organizations, civil society groups, and human rights advocates.

Representatives from the Commission on Human Rights-Cordillera Administrative Region (CHR-CAR) also attended.

One of the concerns raised during the gathering was alleged red-tagging. Participants expressed concerns that being outspoken, joining organizations, defending Indigenous peoples’ rights, questioning dam or large-scale mining projects, or speaking against corruption could lead to suspicions of links to communist or insurgent groups.

Dickpus said these concerns should not create hostility between communities and the military.

She acknowledged the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in maintaining peace and security and instead called for stronger communication and mutual trust among the security sector, government, and communities.

She proposed a dialogue where government and military representatives could explain the lawful and factual bases for identifying individuals or organizations believed to have links with insurgent groups, while affected communities could openly raise concerns about alleged red-tagging.

Dickpus stressed that defending ancestral domains, advocating for Indigenous peoples’ rights, joining lawful organizations, questioning development projects, or speaking against corruption should not, by themselves, be treated as proof of involvement in an armed movement.

She also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent public statements recognizing citizens’ right to express their sentiments while emphasizing that public demonstrations should remain peaceful.

Dickpus said democratic spaces for peaceful assembly, organization, and expression should be protected because they provide citizens with lawful avenues to bring concerns to government.