Luyo Sa Pagpakigbisog: Challenges, Impacts and Coping Strategies of Red-Tagged Student Activists in Cebu

Abstract

Red-tagging has become a persistent issue in the Philippine sociopolitical landscape, particularly affecting activists and social movements. Among those most vulnerable are student activists, whose involvement in political and social causes exposes them to labeling, harassment, and threats that extend beyond their personal lives. Although existing literature discusses red-tagging as a form of political repression, limited studies explore how student activists experience and interpret these incidents in their everyday lives. This study explores the lived experiences of red-tagged student activists in Cebu, focusing on the challenges they encounter, the impacts of these experiences, and the coping strategies they employ.
Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the study gathered first-person accounts from five student activists across universities in Cebu who have directly experienced red-tagging. Participants were selected through purposive sampling based on their involvement in advocacy work and their experiences of being labeled by state authorities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to identify patterns and shared meanings across participants’ narratives. Findings reveal that red-tagging presents multidimensional challenges threatening both identity and safety. Participants reported experiencing digital doxxing, surveillance, online harassment, and institutional scrutiny, which reshaped their daily routines, relationships, and sense of security. These pressures produced attitudinal and social impacts, including persistent fear, disrupted daily functioning, and strained family dynamics. However, the study also found that political resolve was strengthened due to these experiences. Moreover, the study found that coping strategies emerged through both personal adaptation and collective support within activist communities.
Overall, the findings highlight that red-tagging operates not only as a political label but as a lived experience that influences identity, security, and resilience. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the realities faced by student activists and emphasizes the need for broader conversations on civic participation and student activists’ well-being.