KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel debunked what he called irresponsible statements made by National Youth Commission Chairman Ronald Cardema.

During the House Committee on Appropriations Department of the Interior and Local Government budget hearing, Cardema argued that if NPA recruitment exists then red-tagging is valid.

Calls to defend academic freedom against red-tagging were also attacked by Cardema.

“Nung sinabing vague yung red-tagging, baka hindi pa alam ng NYC Chair na May 8, 2024 ay nag-publicize ang Supreme Court ng isang desisyon na nagde-define sa red-tagging at mga panganib nito,” Manuel said.

“Nang sinabi pong vague ang academic freedom, well for their information, academic freedom is protected under international law, specifically sa International Bill of Human Rights. Yung sinabi rin na dapat may role ang schools against red-tagged organizations, yung task natin bilang mambabatas ay dapat ma-improve natin yung educational system, dapat hindi ini-insinuate sa atin na dagdagan pa yung burden ng mga school by cooperating with red-taggers and violators of academic freedom,” he added.

The solon also mentioned the accord between the University of the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“’Yung sinabi rin na dahil sa UP-DILG Accord, bawal pumasok ang pulis sa UP, mali po yon, hindi po ata nabasa yung UP-DILG Accord, hindi po bawal pumasok yung pulis kung merong coordination at merong hot pursuit. Buti nalang at least prudent yung DILG secretary natin sa pagcomment kanina unlike the NYC Chair,” Manuel explained.