We, the permanent Commission of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) on Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPICC) strongly denounce the malicious and baseless accusation made against the Redemptorists’ Laoag Mission Community of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, on 22 July 2021 in Laoag as communist supporters, after a tarpaulin was posted outside their compound.

Red-tagging or red-baiting is the harassment or persecution of a person because of “known or suspected communist sympathies.”[1]  Red-tagging is very dangerous and can lead to the interception and recording of communication, arrest and detention without charges, restricted travel and personal liberties, examination of bank records, seizure and sequestration of assets. Red-tagging works against democratic freedom and liberty.

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As witnesses of God’s mercy and compassion, we, the AMRSP- JPIC Commission together with the various JPIC Commissions of the different religious congregations, stand with Rev. Fr. Victorino Cueto, CSsR, the Superior of the Vice Province of Manila of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and fellow Redemptorist missionaries, who have always been at the forefront of serving the poor, marginalized and the exploited as part of their mission to proclaim the Good News of justice, peace and freedom for all.

Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm.                           Sr. Maria Cleofe  J.Trance, OP,

Co- Executive Secretary                                        Co- Executive Secretary

JPICC National Coordinator

July 28, 2021