[OPINION] From the war on drugs to the war on the Reds Mar 11, 2021 12:27 PM PHT Amado L. Picardal In recent months, the targets for extrajudicial killings are no longer just drug addicts and pushers, but those who have been “red-tagged” – activists, lawyers, human rights advocates, and labor leaders identified with the Left. President Rodrigo Duterte has declared open season on communists and groups considered as their legal fronts. He has given a shoot-to-kill order on them. Non-combatants are the usual victims of police and military operations with the same “ nanlaban” (they fought back) justification. Those who have been following the rise of Duterte up close from mayor to president are probably wondering why this is happening. Before he showed loyalty and subservience to Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party, he had a previous association with the “Reds.” This is obvious not just in the pre-election interview with Rappler where he admitted being a leftist and socialist and expressed his intention to enter into coalition with the Reds.