Lorenzana stands by AFP posts ‘red-tagging’ Makabayan solons

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday stood by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  social media posts that allegedly red-tagged members of the House Makabayan Bloc.

During House panel deliberations on the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of National Defense, Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago questioned the digital and social media operations of the DND as she slammed the online posts supposedly "red-tagging" and spewing "disinformation" against her and her fellow Makabayan Bloc members.

"Disinformation based on vilification and incitement to hatred puts this representation and our membership at imminent risk of discrimination, hostility, and harm," she said.

"Bakit ginagamit ang kaban ng bayan sa pagwawaldas na ito para sa disinformation at pagpapahamak ng mga buhay sa kaliwa't kanang red-tagging?" she added.

In response, Lorenzana said the social media posts of the AFP are a joint operation of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Civil Relations Service of the AFP.

But contrary to Elago's statement, the Defense Secretary said the posts were not without basis.

"Itong mga pina-publish ng armed forces tsaka ng PCOO, hindi sila magpa-publish kung wala silang basehan. Itong akusasyon na nagre-red-tagging kami, merong basehan yan dahil marami naman kaming nakuhang mga dokumento," claimed Lorenzana.

Elago, however, insisted that she never made the statements posted on the AFP's social media accounts.

Lorenzana, in the end, said: "They can sue us in court and we will answer them."

Elago nevertheless reiterated that the AFP was spreading "fake news" against her and other Makabayan Bloc members.

"Mariin nating kinukundena hindi lamang ang pagpapakalat ng fake news kundi ang pagwawaldas ng pondo at ang negligence sa nangyayari na ito na AFP na mismo ang naging fake news purveyor," she said.

The DND is proposing a P283.2-billion budget for 2021, of which P208.7 billion are regular funds and P74.5 billion are for the pension for AFP retirees and war veterans. — DVM, GMA News