Student-activists hope to be ‘more protected’ after Manila RTC decision
By Ian Patrick Laqui
Student-activists hope that the recent ruling of the Manila Regional Trial Court will give more protection to student activists amidst red-tagging.
The decision released on Wednesday, Sept 21, which repealed the proscription petition by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), warned against the dangers of red-tagging and highlighted the importance of activism in a democracy.
“Activism is a political act, by which an informed and active citizenry expresses and works for change in an array of political issues that affect them,” Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar of the Manila RTC Branch 19 said in the decision.
For student-activists, the said decision would be an additional layer of protection against harassment and violence against them.
For Miguel of Kabataan Partylist, who is a student from the University of Santo Tomas, Magdoza-Malagar’s decision is proof that the state still has a “capacity to protect its citizens and not parrot state ‘propaganda.’”
He also hoped that this “first step” in protecting activists amidst the “era of censorship” will be followed by institutions.
“Sana tumungo ang mga aral nito sa school administrators at LGUs natin upang magkaroon ng nga polisiyang nagtatanggol sa academic freedom natin at mapigilan ang censorship at historical distortion efforts,” he said.
Justine, a member of Kabataan Partylist and a student from the Faculty of Arts and Letters,,, shared the same sentiment of Miguel, saying that the decision is a step to a “right direction” knowing that activists like them are needed in this political climate.
“I had some initial worries and thoughts before, but this is the reassurance I needed,” she said.
In May 2021, the University barred a Senior High School student from readmission due to his membership in an NDMO citing the illegality of joining unrecognized organizations.
In another instance during the miting de avance of the candidates for the Central Student Council in 2021, a former PRO candidate was instructed by the Office of Student Affairs to change his Zoom virtual background showing a protest.
For Marco Mañaol, Chairman of Kabataan Partylist Katipunan, this decision did not only become a step in protecting activists, but also recognized the “root cause” of armed struggle.
“[I am] glad that she recognizes the roots of the armed struggle. It is a step towards our advocacy of peace, particularly for the resumption of peace talks as this would truly address the roots of the armed struggle along with social injustice,” he said.
Chip, a member of Panday Sining and a student from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, said that the recent decision further helped inform people about the difference between terrorism and activism.
“Napakahalaga nitong resolution kasi talamak na ‘yong red-tagging. Mismong gobyerno na ‘yong nag-i-invalidate ng dissent at nagle-label na terorista hindi lang ‘yong mga nag-take up ng armas kundi pati ‘yong mga aktibista,” he said.
Magdoza-Malagar’s warning is a part of the decision in the dismissed proscription petition filed by the DOJ in 2018 against the CPP, under the provisions of the now-repealed Human Security Act of 2007.
“To automatically lump activists, mostly members of the above-ground organizations as members of the CPP-NPA invariably constitutes red-tagging,” Magdoza-Malagar said in the decision.
“[P]utting the ‘communist label’ on one who may not be a member or on one who, even if a member, may not have participated in the actual act of taking up arms against the government, poses a serious concern,” she added.
The petitioners seek to file a new proscription case at the Court of Appeals.
