Maginhawa Community Pantry takes a break amid red-tagging

MANILA, Philippines – The woman behind the Maginhawa Community Pantry announced that they will take a break from its operations following red-tagging incidents.
Maginhawa Community Pantry takes a break after it was red-tagged

In a social media post, Anna Patricia Non expressed her dismay that they had to temporarily cease their operations due to fears for their safety. She shared how she organized the free food pantry in the hopes of helping but unfortunately, they had to face issues with the cops.

Maginhawa Community Pantry takes a break after it was red-tagged

"Malungkot po dahil hindi muna maipapamahagi ang goods na inihanda namin buong maghapon dahil po sa #RedTagging na nagaganap. Magbigat sa pakirandam ko kasi maganda po ang intentions ko noong binuo ko ang #CommunityPantry at ilang araw na din po na napakaraming pinagsisilbihan nito at ganun din po ang tulong na dumadating," Non said on Facebook.

"Sigurado po maraming tao po ang pipila sa amin bukas pero kailangan po muna nila maghintay sa susunod na araw bago po ito maipamahagi. Lalo na po at nagkaproblema kanina ang ibang Community Pantry sa mga kapulisan," she added.

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Non also appealed to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for assistance after three policemen approached her and asked for a few personal details. Since then, Non said she feared being alone and insisted there is no basis for the accusations.

"Humihingi din po ako ng tulong kay mayor Joy Belmonte tungkol sa usapin na ito. Lalo na po ay hingi po ng tatlong pulis ang number ko at tinatanong po kung anong organisasyon ko," Non said.

"Natatakot po ako maglakad mag-isa papunta sa Community Pantry ng alas singko ng umaga dahil po sa walang basehang paratang sa amin. Gusto ko lang po talaga makatulong at sana po ay huwag nyo masamain," she added.

Maginhawa Community Pantry takes a break after it was red-tagged

Non also shared screenshots of government and police's social media pages who accused her of being linked to communist groups.

Maginhawa Community Pantry takes a break after it was red-tagged

On Facebook, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict posted graphics apparently linking the community pantry initiatives to the communist movement.

"Ang community pantry ay para sa bayan at huwag gamitin sa pansariling kapakanan. Ang Tulong Kabataan ay isang organisasyon na ginawa ng CPP-NPA-NDF para makakuha ng pondo at magrecruit ng kabataan at mamamayan."

The Quezon City Police District also posted a similar graphic on its Facebook page.

— Sally, The Summit Express


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