The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) supports the statement of Southern Luzon Command Chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade regarding actress, Liza Soberano who advocates women’s rights.
Lt. Gen. Parlade has initially warned the actress against joining movements connected with Gabriela to avoid exploitation that was allegedly experienced by several leftist women members. His statement was posted on the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Facebook page. He also clarified that it is unfair to accuse Soberano as a leftist since she is only raising her opinion regarding women’s rights. Parlade believes that Soberano is not yet a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Let us not red-tag Liza Soberano. It’s not fair to her. She is merely supporting advocacy for women’s rights. She has to be protected in the exercise of her rights. Is she an NPA? No, of course not. Not yet. So let’s help educate her and other celebrity targets of Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA), the Underground Mass Organization hiding under Gabriela.”
However, according to AFP Chief of Staff Gilbert Gapay, Parlade’s statement is not inappropriate. He stated that anyone can be recruited by the leftist group particularly those who show them support. However, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana advised Parlade to avoid posting on social media if there is no evidence.
The Defense Chief is set to talk with Parlade along with National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, and other members of the NTF-ELCAC on the issue.
Report from Bea Bernardo
