The ordinance defines red-tagging as “the act of labeling, branding, naming and accusing individuals and/or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists or terrorists (used as) a strategy… by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived to be 'threats' or 'enemies of the State.” 

Additionally, the ordinance echoes the forms of red-tagging stated in Section 3 of House Bill 1152 filed by Representative Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Partylist, which is yet to be heard at a committee level in the House of Representatives. 

In an interview last 12 July, Albeus explained the reason why he drafted this ordinance: “As Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, igwa kaming mga nare-receive na complaints regarding alleged red-tagging kang mga members kang progressive groups, then habang pigdadangog ta ito, tighihiling ta kung anong magiging basis kung ma-file sindang complaint.”

["As Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, we have been receiving complaints regarding alleged red-tagging of members of progressive groups. While we are listening to these complaints, we are also examining what the basis would be for filing a complaint.”] 

Furthermore, according to the ordinance, the red-tagging in Naga City has already affected most progressive groups such as political dissenters, national democratic mass organizations (NDMOs), activists, students, and media practitioners.

“Kaya lang, based duman sa mga forms of harassment sa sainda, mayong clear parameters kung ano talaga si form kang criminal or civil liabilities kang mga person na naggigibo kaidto sainda. That’s why nag-arrive kita sa anti-red-tagging ordinance. Pag-search ta din online, mayo pa siyang national law governing this anti-red-tagging (sic).”

[“However, based on the forms of harassment they have experienced, there are no clear parameters defining the forms of criminal or civil liabilities of the persons involved in such acts. That's why we came up with the anti-red-tagging ordinance. When we searched online, we found that there is no existing national law governing anti-red-tagging."]

The city councilor also highlighted that if passed, this will be the first ordinance combatting red-tagging: “Yes, as per online research, mayo pang LGU na igwa ning (anti-red-tagging) ordinance, and kung maipasar niyo magiging landmark legislation man ini dahil mas maray na ang LGUs igwa because sa national kaya, mayo pa, mayo pang national law na pigpapasar ang Congress and Senate regarding this red-tagging.”

[“Yes, according to online research, there are no LGUs that have an (anti-red-tagging) ordinance, and if we manage to pass this, it will become landmark legislation because LGUS should have this. Nationally, there isn't one yet; the Congress and the Senate have not yet passed a national law regarding red-tagging.”]

“...(B)ilang sarong youth, kita ang pinakaprogresibo sa society. Ta kita ang pirming aktibo sa mga aktibidades, kita pirmi ang nagkakasaralamuha, kita ang pirming nakikiaram, kita pirmi ang may aram sa mga satuyang komunidad,” said Ardinazo, emphasizing the importance of the ordinance from a youth perspective.

["...(A)s youth, we are the most progressive sector of society. We are always active in activities, we are always involved, we are always engaged, and we always know what is happening in our communities.”]

“Kasi kung hihilingon ta ining mga progresibong mga kahovenan na inaapod ta, an hiling sainda kang kadaklan is only distorbo lang, especially kapag nagra-rally or nagpo-protest. Nahihiling sinda only as garo godfly, mga bangaw kang banwaan. Pero importante (ining ordinansa) ta tigpoprotehiran an saindang basic human rights to express, to express their knowledge, their ideas na makakatabang sa society and of course, mapoprotehiran an seguridad ninda,” the youth councilor added.

[“When we look at these progressive youth, they are often seen by many as just a disturbance, especially when they are rallying or protesting. They are only seen as mere nuisances, like flies in the community. But this is important because it protects their basic human rights to express their knowledge and ideas that can help society, and of course, it protects their security."]

Albeus foresees the possible lack of awareness from his fellow city council members as one obstacle that can hamper the ordinance’s passing. 

As of this writing, the ordinance has yet to be passed from the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga City.

This ordinance follows a landmark ruling of the Supreme Court on 8 May, which declares “...(R)ed-tagging, vilification, labeling, and guilt by association threaten a person’s right to life, liberty, or security.”