Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 26) — The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday condemned the “abuse, harassment, and outright red-tagging” of Manila Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar after she dismissed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) petition to tag the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) as terrorist groups.
The IBP underscored that judges should not feel threatened while performing their duties, and that threats and attacks against its members “sow fear” at a “critical element” of the legal system.
“These capricious and dishonest statements go beyond reasonable discussion. They foment vitriol and hate against our judges,” the national organization of lawyers said.
Comments on social media accused Magdoza-Malagar of being an ally of communist rebels after she dismissed the 2018 petition for proscription of the DOJ to recognize the CPP and NPA as terrorist groups under Section 17 of Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act (HSA) of 2007.
Magdoza-Malagar noted in her ruling released on Sept. 21 that the CPP and NPA do not exist to engage in terrorism, and that “armed struggle” is not the “purpose” of the CPP’s creation, rather a “means” to achieve its purpose.
READ: Manila court junks govt’s case to declare CPP, NPA as terrorist groups
The IBP called for the immediate activation and utilization of the Judicial Marshal Service. Republic Act 11691 mandates the creation of the Office of the Judiciary Marshals for the security, safety, and protection of members, officials, personnel, and property of the Judiciary, including the integrity of the courts and its proceedings.
“If judges can be treated disdainfully without consequence, the Rule of Law becomes a hollow promise,” the group said, adding that broadcasts and posts showcasing verbal assaults against judges encourage the public to do the same.
The attacks include the Facebook post of Lorraine Badoy, the former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), where she accused Magdoza-Malagar of being a “friend” and a “true ally” who “passionately lawyered” for the communist party and its armed wing.
In a separate post, Badoy also claimed the judge’s husband, University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Chancellor Leo Malagar, was a youth cadre of the CPP-NPA and questioned if he is still an active member.
News programs of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) have also discussed Magdoza-Malagar’s resolution and guested Badoy, where she repeated her allegations against the judge.
Meanwhile, a group of UP teachers stood with the Malagars, and claimed that Badoy and the NTF-ELCAC are the “real terrorists who threaten the lives of human rights defenders and community organizers.”
“It is, in fact, the conduct of red-tagging, extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations to compel submission among the civilian populace that constitute state-sponsored terrorism,” said Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND).
CNN Philippines is seeking comment from Badoy and the NTF-ELCAC.
Last year, Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio of Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 was also red-tagged in a tarpaulin along Shaw Boulevard near EDSA after she ordered the release of a journalist and a union organizer.
