In July, religious leaders representing Catholic religious orders issued a statement saying that the practice of public labeling of individuals as being affiliated with insurgent, terrorist, or separatist groups – also known as “red-tagging” – would not deter them from criticizing the new government on moral and ethical issues, should they arise. As part of the government’s campaign against groups pursuing violent opposition to the state, particularly the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), some religious workers who were identified by the government as communist members or sympathizers were threatened and harassed, while some were indicted on charges of providing funds to the CPP-NPA. Religious groups, human rights groups, and private individuals filed 37 petitions before the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the act, citing fears that it could limit religious freedom. In April, the Supreme Court upheld its December 2021 decision declaring the Antiterrorism Act of 2020 constitutional. The law treats intentional attacks directed against religiously affiliated buildings or facilities as war crimes or crimes against international humanitarian law. The constitution provides for the free exercise of religion and religious worship and prohibits the establishment of a state religion. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.Bureau of International Organization Affairs.
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