MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – When one one encounters a red tag in a retail store, it usually means an item is on sale and significantly marked down. Not so with sili (chilli pepper) in the Philippines.

Amid all the talk of red-tagging of individuals and elements with alleged ties to the NPA-Communist Party, sili has recently had its share of the hugely criticized government practice.

But it’s not for reasons of anti-government ties nor mark downs, but for exorbitant prices, ranging upwards of P700 per kilo. The red-tagging comes from all directions — from government to the media and above all, consumers whose spicy meals of Bicol Express or Laing are gravely threatened.

It’s a classic case of red spice being red-tagged.