ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro has denounced the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for allegedly red-tagging her and issuing a memorandum directing surveillance on her activities.
In an Inquirer.net report, Castro criticized the January 10 memo, which reportedly instructed wardens to validate accusations made by retired Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. The memo, based on Parlade’s now-deleted Facebook post, claimed Castro visited jails to solicit funds from drug traffickers through detainees allegedly linked to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Castro called the memo a “dangerous and malicious act of red-tagging” and demanded its retraction. She warned the BJMP of legal consequences if it fails to issue a formal public apology and withdraw the directive. “This irresponsible action endangers lives and violates human rights,” Castro said.
An alleged copy of the memo, signed by Chief Supt. Clint Russel Tangeres, urged jail personnel to monitor individuals suspected of CPP affiliations. The document emphasized the need for such measures to maintain security in jail facilities.
Political prisoner support group Kapatid condemned the BJMP’s actions, accusing the agency of basing its orders on unverified claims from a “notorious red-tagger.” Fides Lim, Kapatid’s spokesperson, argued that the directive amounts to political partisanship during an election year.
Former ACT Teachers lawmaker Antonio Tinio highlighted the legal risks for BJMP officials, citing previous rulings against red-tagging. He pointed out that Parlade was found guilty by the Ombudsman in 2023 for actions prejudicial to public service.
