12/02/2026
𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
ALBAY – Local groups of students and teachers condemn the circulation of malicious posters in various school premises in Albay province, a form of red-tagging.
Since February 8, several posters red-tagging leaders of progressive and advocacy centered organizations in the Bicol region have been spotted in the waiting sheds, near the new building of College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and Gate 3 and 4 of Bicol University (BU). The said posters were also spotted in the fence of Legazpi City National High School in Rawis, Legazpi City and within the premises of Bicol College in Daraga, Albay.
Among the targeted leaders are Jen Nagrampa and Dan Balucio of Bayan Bicol, Aubrey Verzosa and Sherra Buen of TABI, Ramon Rescovilla of Condor – Piston Bicol and Julius Espadero of ACT Bicol Union.
Some BU students took the initiative to report these posters and remove some of them from campus premises, with the understanding that these materials are dangerous, defamatory, and meant to endanger the safety and security of those targeted.
“This collective response reflects a community that refuses to normalize harassment and intimidation within spaces meant for learning and growth,” said Rise for Education Bicol University.
According to Bayan Bicol, such moves are dirty tactics of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF – ELCAC). “They attempt to threaten and silence the progressive groups who continue their people – centered activities,” said Bayan Chair Jen Nagrampa.
“These malicious materials clearly aim to intimidate the students, especially those who support the pro-people campaigns championed by the progressive organizations,” said Rise for Education Bicol University. “These acts seek to distort truth, vilify activism, and discourage students from speaking out.”
Red-tagging is not new to the youth and students that has long been used as a tool to harass, intimidate, and silence activists and progressive organizations, according to Rise for Education Bicol University.
“But the youth know better. We recognize these tactics and we refuse to be cowed by them,” the youth group added.
“Such accusations and harassment are not only a blatant violation of human rights, but also a threat to the safety of teachers and other citizens who actively promote the rights and welfare of the education sector,” ACT Bicol Union stated.
According to ACT Bicol, the red – tagging and terror – tagging against Julius Espadero, Vice – President of the union, is a clear attempt to silence critical voices and weaken legitimate teacher organizations. It puts him and other teacher leaders at risk, and creates a climate of fear that erodes democratic space and the right to express and organize.
The union added “Defending teachers is defending education. Sir Julius' stance is a stance for a just, patriotic, and humane education system—a goal that should never be considered a crime”.
In a separate statement, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) – Bicol expressed that the timing of these actions is likely as a tactic to plant fear with the 40th EDSA anniversary approaching.
“It makes clear that such harassment is intended to silence student voices during a period of historical reflection and civic mobilization,” CEGP – Bicol said. “We call on all students and organizations to stand united against these attacks. Let us resist fear and repression, defend our democratic rights, and continue advancing people-centered advocacy that amplifies the voices and struggles of our communities.”
Contributed Photo
