‘We mean no harm to Torres-Tupas’ — Parlade

MANILA, Philippines — Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade said on Tuesday he meant no harm to INQUIRER.net reporter Tetch Torres-Tupas after his controversial remarks against the journalist, whom he earlier dubbed a “propagandist.”

Parlade, who serves as the spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said it was not his intention to scare Torres-Tupas.

“That’s not the intent. Ang intent natin, sino ba ang papansin ng mga maling report nito? But really, kung ‘yun lang naman ang kailangan just to assure Ms. Tupas that we mean no harm on her, of course, I’d like to say sorry to those circulating the news that I am threatening her, I’m not,” Parlade said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.

Asked what he is exactly apologizing for, Parlade said: “Kasi ang lumalabas, parang natatakot na si Tetch for my statements. That’s also because of the way the media portrays this issue, but personally, wala akong intention kay Tetch na ganyan ang maramdaman niya.”

In a post on his Facebook page, Parlade branded Torres-Tupas’ story on a petition filed by two alleged communist rebels against the Anti-Terror Law as “fake” and “propaganda.”

“Congratulations for a sloppy work Tetch Torres-Tupaz (sic) of Inquirer.net. You did not even bother to check the side of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and gov’t if what you are reporting is true or FAKE. Propagandista. No such thing happened. That unit is not even there but in Davao,” Parlade said in his post.

Responding to a question from a netizen on his post whether charges could be filed against Torres-Tupas, he replied: “Aiding the terrorists by spreading lies? Puede (Possible).”

But on Tuesday, Parlade said he will not sue Torres-Tupas.

“I made that post on my personal wall in Facebook so NTF-ELCAC has nothing to do with that comment. It’s based on citizen Parlade’s response to that careless report of this Inquirer reporter,” Parlade said.

“I’m speaking there as a citizen. I also have my rights to react to these false accusations of our media friends. They’re friends as far as I’m concerned, they’re real friends. At this time, I think sila ‘yung nag-overstep,” he added.

Meanwhile, INQUIRER.net stood by Torres-Tupas and slammed Parlade’s red-tagging.

“INQUIRER.net takes vigorous exception to the apparent red-tagging of our reporter and expresses alarm over Parlade’s attempt to sow fear, stifle dissent and curtail her right to make truthful and objective reports. We unequivocally support our reporter and uphold her integrity,” the media outlet said.

EDV