MANILA — Red-tagging remains a threat to the life and the security of progressive members of society, a senatorial bet of the Makabayan coalition said on Tuesday.

Rep. Arlene Brosas said red-tagging has been used to stifle freedom of speech.

“Sasabinin na NPA ka, panakot [ito] para hindi ka makapagsalita at panakot para hindi maniwala ang mga tao sa sinasabi niyo. Sa tingin ko hindi dapat ito ginagawa bilang weapon. It’s a form of binubusalan ang iyong karapatan, freedom of expression,” said Brosas.

“Ang mahalaga pa natin na magamit dito ay yung Supreme Court decision last time on red-tagging diba? Nagkaroon ng ganyang decision na malinaw na threat to life and security ang ginagawa ng ganito para hindi makapagsalita ang mga tulad naming progresibo,” she said.

The Supreme Court (SC) last year declared that "red-tagging," or linking an individual to the communist movement, constitutes "threats to a person’s right to life, liberty, or security."

In a ruling, the SC said that "labelling a person 'red' often comes with frequent surveillance, direct harassment, and in some instances, eventual death."

Meanwhile, Brosas said she would continue to fight for the removal of VAT, e-VAT, excise tax on fuel, and the raising of minimum wage if elected in the Senate.