HEARING ON RED-TAGGING OF CELEBRITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS: Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, presides over the hearing on proposed Senate Resolution No. 559, which directs the Senate Committee to exercise its oversight authority over the defense sector on the issue of red-tagging/ red-baiting of certain celebrities, personalities, institutions, and organizations. (Joseph Vidal/ Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson heaved a sigh of relief after getting assurance from a military official that actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin is not part of the New People’s Army, disclosing that he will likely be a principal sponsor at her wedding.
Lacson made the disclosure during Tuesday’s Senate defense committee hearing on the alleged red-tagging of celebrities and organization by military officials.
The senator was asking Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. about the latter’s controversial statement which, among others, tagged Locsin’s sister, Ella Colmenares, as part of the NPA.
“I also mentioned Ella Colmenares because it’s really true that Ella is an NPA. I never said that Angel Locsin is an NPA,” Parlade told the Senate committee. Colmenares has already denied Parlade’s accusation.
“Ang statement niya [Locsin], sinasabi niya na hindi raw siya NPA. I never said that she is an NPA. No, I never said that,” the military official said.
In response, Lacson said he was “glad” that Parlade cleared Locsin of any involvement with the NPA.
“I’m glad you mentioned in your own words that Angel Locsin is not an NPA. I’ll make a disclosure. Her fiancé, Neil Arce is a family friend. As a matter of fact, pag kinasal yun kukunin akong ninong [if they got married, they’re getting me to be principal sponsor]. I’m just making a disclosure. I’m glad that you mentioned that she is not an NPA,” the senator said.
“And I hope she’s monitoring para malaman niya na sayo [Parlade] mismo nanggaling na hindi siya NPA. And I think she will feel relieved coming from you na hindi siya NPA,” Lacson added.
(So she will know directly from you that she’s not a member of the NPA.)