SMNI hosts dinemanda dahil sa red-tagging

Red Tagging Defined

To better understand the video interview, let us define some terms discussed above.  Understanding the meaning of the words being used in the discussion will help us understand the discussion better and help us separate the weeds from the seeds. In so doing, it will help us determine who is doing right and who needs our support.

1. Red tagged

 What is the meaning when something is being red-tagged? A red tag indicates that there is a safety concern with the appliance or any part to which it is attached. The tags are put in place by a person, who will usually write a description of the problem on the tag and describe the necessary repairs.

So if the gas range or stove has a defective connection, for fear that an explosion is waiting to happen ... a red tag is hung near the stove or cylinder to remind everybody of the imminent danger. 

In hospitals it means warning signals or a red flag ... for example, No Smoking signs are placed near oxygen tanks and oxygen outlets to make everybody aware of the possibility of ignition or explosion.

2. Red Tagging

Just like the red tags placed on defective appliances ... red tagging on persons serves as a reminder to everybody to avoid associations or make connections with the persons being red-tagged.

Red tagging in our country has taken a new direction. It is a spiteful and venomous personal embargo on somebody ... the labeling and accusations range from making the person evil, harmful, or undesirable ... or blacklisting them for possible employment ... or tagging them as just a stern warning to avoid mingling and ignore a person or group.

It is also a form of harassment to individuals or entities especially groups that are unsympathetic or nitpicking the government ... and are not supportive of their work. They are being labeled NPA, Komunista, or terorista notwithstanding what ideologies they belong to or what political color they subscribe to.

It is tantamount to stirring up trouble for them something like encouraging anybody to do harm ... or inciting violence ... or worse egging any loose canons to do the inevitable ... resulting in assassinations or tokhang.

This political tactic weakens the country's democracy by strangling division and dissent and creating a chilling effect on everyday talks and conversations ... and gradually but in a subtle way ... encourages retribution and reprisal.