Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Monday, October 26, banned the posting of anti-communist materials across the province, and slammed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr over his red-tagging spree.

In a Facebook post, Remulla was “concerned” about the AFP’s red-tagging of celebrities Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray, and Angel Locsin; Manila Mayor Isko Moreno; and activist groups.

“Let me assure you that if you or any of your men put up any posters in the Province of Cavite, they will not last a day! I will personally lead the effort to tear your propaganda posters down,” Remulla said.

He added: “Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr should be ashamed of himself. Threatening progressive and outspoken women who want to encourage a stronger feminist culture? That does not make them co-conspirators nor allies of the left wing.”

Cavite’s ban on the posters comes after Parlade slammed Moreno for taking down similar posters in the capital. The posters said that communists were “persona non grata” in Metro Manila.

Why does this matter?

Remulla is one of the first local politicans who slammed the AFP and Parlade over their controversial red-tagging of activists. (READ: Senators defend Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray vs general’s ‘red-tagging’)

His ban on the posters also marks the first reported effort of a governor to reject the military’s anti-communist activities in their province.

The Philippine government and the military have been tapping the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), led by Parlade, for its anti-communist materials.

The government has been frequently using social media – the tool that propelled Rodrigo Duterte to the presidency in 2016 – to red-tag activists and spread their message.

The method invoked widespread condemnation after Parlade red-tagged Soberano for speaking at an online women’s rights forum organized by Gabriela, a women’s rights organization that is not militant. – Rappler.com