Ping says ‘gag order’ vs Parlade rants may not be enough. Here’s why

A “gag order” barring National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesman Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. from speaking on matters involving community pantries may not be the appropriate response, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Monday.

Lacson said this is because the issue involving Parlade goes way beyond Parlade’s recent rants against community pantries and even some members of the Senate, and may even touch on violations of the Constitution.

“The issue goes beyond the attacks issued by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. on the organizers of community pantries as well as against the members of the Senate. A temporary ‘gag order’ is thus not the appropriate response,” he said in a statement.

Over the weekend, national security adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said he has told Parlade and another NTF-ELCAC spokesperson, Lorraine Marie Badoy, to refrain from commenting on community pantries.

Parlade and Badoy had stirred up controversy when they tried to connect the community pantries with the communist New People’s Army rebels.

But Lacson, in pointing out the issue on Parlade goes beyond his recent rants, reiterated that Parlade’s remaining as NTF-ELCAC spokesman violates the Constitution.

“In the first place, as an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Parlade ‘cannot be appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government,’ according to Art. XVI, Sec. 5, Paragraph 4 of no less than the 1987 Constitution,” he said.

He added the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of National Defense should have heeded the call of the Senate to immediately recall Parlade to the AFP more than a month ago.

“He should be censured for dabbling in politics instead of just focusing on his inherent mission as commanding general of the Southern Luzon Command – that is, to fight threats such as terrorism and insurgency,” Lacson added.

As for Badoy, Lacson said her political statements “are her and the NTF-ELCAC’s responsibility to the Filipino people.”

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)