House of Representatives. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The resignation of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) is “long overdue,” some lawmakers in the House of Representatives said Thursday.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Parlade, who has been linked to several red-tagging controversies, “has done inordinate damage to human rights and freedom of expression.”
“[The resignation is] long overdue,” Lagman said in a text message.
For Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Parlade “has taken his position to the extreme.”
“Yes, it was his duty to strengthen the government’s anti-insurgency campaign. But by red-baiting persons, including members of Congress, he just went too far,” he said.
“Allegations should always be evidence-based which requirement he conveniently set aside. The government follows the rule of law, not on innuendos, aspersions, and unfounded accusations,” he added.
READ: Parlade steps down as counter-insurgency task force spokesperson
Bayan Muna Rep. Ferdinand Gaite, meanwhile, said Parlade should not only resign but also be held accountable for his previous actions.
“Mas ang tanong natin ay ‘resign na lang, wala nang pagpapanagot sa kanyang paghahasik ng kasinungalingan?’” Gaite said.
“As a spokesperson of NTF-ELCAC, Parlade used and abused his position to attack government critics, spread fake news, and red-tag activists and organizations, he should be held accountable for this,” he added.
Gaite likewise said the NTF-ELCAC should also be abolished for enabling Parlade’s “crusade of lies.”
“Sa nalalapit na 2022 Budget deliberations, we will see to it that NTF-ELCAC’s budget would be thoroughly scrutinized. We call on our fellow lawmakers in the House and Senate to not let this waste of taxpayers money pass unchecked,” Gaite said.
Parlade’s resignation as NTF-Elcac mouthpiece came weeks before he reaches the military service’s mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 26. The Army official is currently the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines–Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).
Medal of Valor recipient Maj. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division, will replace Parlade as Solcom commander.
INQUIRER.net reached out to Parlade for his comments on this story but has yet to receive a reply.