The security landscape of Mindanao, Philippines, remains fragile despite ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable peace among its tri-people communities (Moros, the Indigenous communities, and Christians). While Moro struggle dominates peacebuilding literature, the region’s conflict extends beyond this, including clashes between the state security forces and the communist armed group known as the New People’s Army (NPA). Red-tagging has emerged as a significant consequence, labelling peace advocates NPA sympathisers, often without substantial proof, thereby suppressing dissent, delegitimising their works, and destabilising peace efforts. Through a phenomenological inquiry guided by Securitization Theory involving ten (10) red-tagged peace advocates, this study revealed red-tagging as a form of structural violence targeting advocates based on their cultural and ideological identities. It induces psychological burdens such as fear and self-censorship while paradoxically increasing advocacy visibility. Advocates shift their work into institutional spaces like classrooms and legal frameworks to mitigate risks while maintaining their causes. Social media also serves as a tool for smear campaigns and a counter-narrative platform. Despite the chilling effects, resilience emerges as advocates adapt strategies to navigate repression. Future directions emphasise legal protection for civil society actors and addressing structural violence. Policymakers, NGOs, and international organisations are called to safeguard civic spaces and promote sustainable peace in Mindanao amidst these challenges.