The head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said Tuesday he was looking into a military general’s recent red-tagging of a journalist in connection with the Anti-Terrorism Law.
Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade had threatened to sue Inquirer.net reporter Tetch Torres-Tupas over her alleged “fake” news report about two Aetas charged with terrorism, but who claimed they were tortured by soldiers in Zambales.
The report merely quoted a petition-in-intervention seeking to join petitions challenging the anti-terror measure.
AFP Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana said he had asked the provost marshal to look into whether or not Parlade’s remark had “the blessing” of an anti-insurgency task force, where the latter serves as spokesperson.
“We have to exercise due diligence so that in everything we say we are very sure, with concrete evidence rather than just making [a] statement,” Sobejana said in a public briefing.
“It’s hard to take back what you already said after you’ve already hurt the subject.”
Parlade earlier red-tagged celebrities Liza Soberano, Angel Locsin and Catriona Gray, as well as 18 schools including De La Salle University and the Ateneo De Manila University.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday “Something is very wrong with Lt. Gen. Parlade’s mindset.”
On its face, Lacson said, Parlade’s statement clearly implying that a journalist “was aiding the terrorists” was careless and insensitive.
“I do not know how else any literate person can interpret that,” said Lacson, a former head of the Philippine National Police.
“That said, I couldn’t care less what else comes out of his mouth, nor do I have anything to do with his quarrel with Ms. Tetch Torres-Tupas,” Lacson said.
According to Lacson, his primary concern is the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which he and his staff, as well as his fellow senators, had worked extra hard to do to afford the state an effective legal tool against terrorism while ensuring that the Bill of Rights is protected, especially that the law is now facing some serious challenges before the Supreme Court.
“If Lt. Gen. Parlade wants to help enlighten the magistrates as he claims, he can do it better by not talking about terrorism.”
Former Vice President Jejomar Binay described as pointless asking Parlade to resign because he would not.
“Hindi aalis yan sa pwesto. And I doubt if he will be fired. What he is doing is precisely what his political benefactors want.”
Parlade’s red-tagging, Binay said, was not about facts or reality.
He said it was not grounded on respect for the free exchange of ideas.
“Anyone who opposes or criticizes the government—or even files a news report not to his liking—is either a sympathizer or a certified terrorist that needs to be dealt with harshly. This is the playbook and Parlade is the coach, player and cheerleader rolled into one,” Binay said.
He said he would not be surprised if Parlade imitated the Palace spokesman and told his critics “Manigas kayo.”