Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 18) — Malacañang is asking the public not to conclude just yet that the Mandaluyong judge who ordered the release of a journalist and a union organizer has been red-tagged.
“Authorities are investigating already this incident. Yung mga nagsabit po niyang tarpaulin na yan, mahuhuli po kayo dahil may CCTV po sa area,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a virtual briefing on Thursday.
[Translation: Whoever hung that tarpaulin, you will eventually get caught because there are CCTV (cameras) in the area.]
Earlier this week, Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite criticized the placement of a tarpaulin along Shaw Boulevard near EDSA thanking Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio of the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court Branch 209 for releasing journalist Lady Ann Salem and trade unionist Rodrigo Esparago and clearing them of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Among the logos in the tarpaulin is one supposedly of the Communist Party of the Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/3/17/Mandaluyong-judge-red-tagged-after-releasing-journalist–union-organizer–.html
“Sa ngayon po, let us not make hasty conclusions dahil kahit sino po ang pwedeng nagsabit ng tarpaulin na yan,” said the spokesman.
[Translation: For now, let us not make hasty conclusions because anyone could have hung that tarpaulin there.]
However, Roque added that if the judge indeed was red-tagged, President Rodrigo Duterte shall assure she will receive protection from him if needed.
