ALS issues statement on red-tagging lawyers, judges, and members of the legal profession

The Ateneo Law School community is deeply concerned and strongly condemns the spate of red-tagging and attacks on lawyers, judges, and other members of the legal profession.
 
Just this week, a tarp with the logo of the Communist Party of the Philippines was posted along EDSA expressing thanks to Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio for dismissing the illegal possession of firearms and explosives case filed against journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago. Both Salem and Esparago have been the subject of red-tagging before their arrest last December.
 
This disturbing incident is just one of the many cases where lawyers have been subject to red-tagging or killed.
 
The malicious and alarming attacks constitute attacks on the entire criminal justice system. This must stop. We would like to remind our leaders that each of us has a role to play in the criminal justice system. The actions of all actors - law enforcement agents, lawyers and judges - should complement each other. Following the rule of law means the filing of the necessary charges, backed by sufficient evidence, before our justice institutions. By no stretch of the imagination does this include labels that, while they do not make one criminally liable, certainly puts them precariously in harm’s way what with the current trend of killings.
 
National security, peace and order, and due process are not mutually exclusive. Human rights of everyone, including those may be seen as critical of this government, must be protected.
 
We call on our law enforcement agencies to exercise their duty to protect our citizens with due diligence and respect for the rule of law and human rights and to join the legal community in disavowing this spate of red-tagging and attacks against lawyers and judges.
 
Let the lawyers and judges do their job, in accordance with the law and guided by the code of professional responsibility and ethics.

 

 

Jose Maria G. Hofileña, Dean, Ateneo Law School
Ray Paolo J. Santiago, Executive Director, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Amparita Sta. Maria, Faculty Member
Maia Perpetua B. Unico, Program Director, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Xamantha Santos, Program Officer, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Maria Ilsea Salvador, Faculty Member (2013)
Anna Carillo-Paras, Staff, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Anne Maureen Manigbas, Program Director, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Paula Sophia G. Estrella, Project Coordinator, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Guio Martinez, Staff, Ateneo Human Rights Center
Eugene Kaw, Faculty Member
Theodore Te, Faculty Member
Ruben Orbeta SJ, Chaplain
Jun Bondoc, 1993
Liz Siycha, Student (2021)
Jay Santiago, Faculty Member (2008)
Patrick Simon Perillo, Faculty Member (2008)
Carlo L. Cruz, Faculty Member
Carlo Bonifacio Alentajan, Alumnus
Angelo Raymundo Q. Valencia, 1998
Adrian Aly M. Chio, Student
William Go
Mary Claire A. Demaisip, Faculty Member
Melissa Ann Bautista, 2010
Ignatius Michael D. Ingles, Faculty Member
Maria Luwalhati C. Dorotan Tiuseco, Faculty Member
Shikyna Joy Castillo, Student (2022)
Marjolaine T. De Castro, Student Council 4th Year Batch Rep
Ma. Filomena Legaspi, 1981
Roweena Fernandez-Mendoza, 1988
Deric Robert E. Siquian, Student (2021)
Juanita Siy, 1988
Benjamin Z. Lerma, Faculty Member (1996)
Leonila de Jesus, 1988
Anton Tensuan, Student (2021)
Grace Bajo, Student (2021)
P. Winston G. Conlu, 1988
Loriedel Monforte Fajardo, Student
Jorani R. Ludovica, Student
Ma. Luisa A. Estella, 1988
Klarise Estorninos Cajucom, Faculty Member

Dr. George V. Carmona, Faculty Member
Marcos Joaquin Lauron, Student
Juliana Calasanz-Lina, 1988
Gregorio M. Batiller Jr., 1979
Ian Denis U. Canoy, 2017
Arvy Brian Maclang Uy, 2016
Alexis Caesar Sanchez
Irene F. Songco, 1988
Cecilia E. Jimenez, 1988
Roy Rafols, Faculty Member (1984)
Axel Rupert Cruz, Faculty Member (2002)
Raul G. Gerodias, 1988
Edgar D. Dumlao, 1984
Ruben Fruto, 1964
Francisco Joaquin D. Arceo, Student
Nonnatus P. Chua, 1988
Severino Sumulong, 1985
Isabelle Beatriz Ginez, Student (2024)
Virna Emeline Caringal-Divino, 1995
Wayne Michael L. Novera, Student (2022)
Elfren P. Hipolito Jr., 1984
Rolando P. Rivera, 1984
Ma. Hazel Joy M. Faco, Student (2022)
Jess Raymund M. Lopez, Faculty Member
Ma. Araceli Habaradas, Faculty Member
Ramon Ereñeta, Faculty Member
Dara Acusar, 1999
Wigberto Tañada Jr., 1990
Antonio Miguel R. Arugay
Romarico I. Gatchalian, 1988
Rita Marie L. Mesina-Alvaera, 2009
Ryan Jeremiah D Quan, Faculty Member (2008)
Aison Garcia, Faculty Member
Joaquin P. Obieta, Faculty Member (1988)
Maria Corazon PMR Alvarez-Adriano, 1988
Maria Bernadette V. Sardillo, 2000
Katrina C. Monsod, Faculty Mermber (2001)
Sabrina Yu, Student, 2024
Marianne Agunoy, 2018

Antonio A. Ligon, 1988

Domnina T. Rances, 2000
Eunice Go, 2010
Vivencio F. Abano, Faculty Member (1984)
Emigdio Tanjuatco III, 1995
Teresa Yap, 1988
Patricia Cervantes-Poco, Faculty Member
Christine Rose L. Lapada, Student (2024)
Judy Anne Vera, 1999
Micaela Cayton Garrido, 2002
Nikoull Wines, Student
Micah Espion, Student
Mark Vincent D. Lim, Student (2022)
James Erwin Velasco, Student (2022)
Carl Lyndon Santos, Student
Howard M. Calleja, Faculty Member (1994)
Eileen Batac, 1993
Gregorio Rafael P. Bueta, Faculty Member (2010)
Magnolia del Roasrio, Student
Emmanuel R. Jabla, 1988
Maria Paula S. Villarin, 2018
Joanne Ala, 2016
Florante O. Villegas, 1988
Mark Timothy K. Bullo, 2017
Jerrick M. Lim, 2018
Jeah Dominguez, 2018
Maria Luisa S. Villarin, 2018
Jose Maria B. Buenagua, 2018
Katrina S. Diploma, 2018
Arvin Paolo D. Cortez, 2019
Ryan Pelongco, Student, 2021
Maria Vinina Padilla, 2010
Nicolene S. Arcaina, 2018
Sabrina Dayao, 2018
Alan David M. Orquinaza, 2018
Mikko Ringia
Tata Sta. Ana-Sales, 1988
Elwell B. Mariano, 2017
Wilfredo E. Reyes Jr., Student
Ahmad Rajiv A. Ala, Student
Danielle Zerrudo, 2018

Mariela Punzalan Rocillo, 2018
Elach Eleazar, 2020
Jasmine P. Leaño, 2019
Reniel Kian R. Fajardo, 2018
Jousch Parra, Student
Jane Laarni O. Pichay, 2008
Chris Evander O. Co, 2018
Hanna Maria Nica M. Almirez, 2012
Rhia Ramirez, 1983
Rona April D. Diaz, 2012
Ysabelle Grace Hosillos, Student
Jewel M. Culala, Student
Freedom Hernandez, Student
Norberto Sarigumba III
Jose Ma. Rosendo A. Solis, 2002
Lumina Aquino, Student
Aina Cortez, Student
Bai Sharia L. Tambuang, Student
Ramon Miguel Cayco Samson, Faculty Member (2010)
Billie Blanco, Student (2022)
Margareth Buensalido, Student
Datu Amir Wagas, Student
Siegfred Perez, Student (2022)
Ricky Gumaru
Teresa Kristel V. Banta, 2018
Dominic Amon R. Ladeza, 2019
Benjamin T. Tolosa, 1983
Stephen Joseph Ocampo, 2018
Abigail Jamias, 2019
Maria Cristina Magdalena, 1993
Luis S. Romero-Salas, 1998
Khenett R. Puerto, 2019
Dyrol Cesnan Agbayani, 2017
Mari Paz C. Luna, 2018
Rizalino Rivera, Vice President for Social Development, Ateneo de Manila University
Minerva Morada, 1988
Reagan F. de Guzman, 1993
Frances Ianna Canto, 2012
Iyett M. Gutierrez, 1988
Benjamin Roberto G. Barretto, Faculty Member

Micaela L. De Guzman, 2018
Alison Zoe Caballero, Student
Jennifer P. Humiding, 1998
Crisostomo A. Uribe, Faculty Member
Louie Emmanuel G. Pagtakhan, Student (2023)
Francis Arwin Roxas, 2019
Ma. Christine A. Aberin, 2012
Jo-Anne Monique D. Coloquio, 2018
Elreen Joy de Guzman, 2017
Michael F. Rellosa, 1983
Philip Tuano, 1989
Tony Salvador, 1991
Anna Maria Cindy D. Perez, 2018
Zeth Lorenzo Samson, 2019
Carlo So Chungunco, 2018
Ma. Jillian C. Gandingco, 2019
Geoffrey Carlo D.C. Berciles, Student
Iris Gizelle Agus, Student (2022)
Nikki Dolfo, Student
Gillian Tan, 2018
Zandro Jose E. Garcia, 2017
Luis Alfonso S. Seña, 2017
James Urquiola, Student (2022) 
Viven Valerie Valdez, 2018
Lili Mae Reyes, 2010
Sabrina Marie E. de Guia, Student
Chloe Chrysilla A. Laxa, 2018
Solomon Michael P. Vardeleon, 2018