SolCom chief's 'threat, harassment' vs. Soberano, other celebs unacceptable —Hontiveros

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday denounced the statement of Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. regarding celebrities advocating women's rights, calling them "threats and harassments."

"Huwag mong gamitin ang kapangyarihan mo bilang heneral upang takutin at pagbantaan ang mga kababaihang ito," Hontiveros told Parlade in a statement.

"Your threats and harassment are unacceptable. By silencing them, pinapalampas mo ang karahasan, panggagahasa at pangaabuso na nararansan ng napakaraming Pilipino. This is a shame to your rank and to the PMA (Philippine Military Academy)," she added.

Parlade, in a statement on Facebook, has cautioned actress Liza Soberano about keeping ties with Gabriela Women's Party, which the military claims is a front organization of communist rebels.

He also mentioned the names of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Angel Locsin in the social media post.

Hontiveros hinted regrets on not blocking Parlade's promotion when he faced the bicameral Commission on Appointments last August.

"Lt. General Parlade, when you sat in front of me during your appointment hearing, you were like a lamb. I gave you the benefit of the doubt during your promotion hearing because I believed that, just like my late husband Frank, you abide by the motto of the PMA: courage, integrity and loyalty," Hontiveros said, mentioning that she started out as a young advocate of women's rights who married a military man.

"We will not forget this. Tatandaan ko ang lahat ng mga ito at paghandaan mo ang susunod natin paghaharap sa Comission on Appointments. Hindi ko ito kayang palampasin. See you in the next round," she added.

Meanwhile, Hontiveros gave some words of encouragement for the celebrities mentioned by Parlade, emphasizing that speaking up is their constitutional right.

"To Liza and Catriona: It is difficult and painful to be at the frontlines fighting beside persons oppressed by a norm that advocates rape, murder and exploitation. But every time you speak up, another girl becomes braver and another life is saved. I’m behind you every step of the way," she said.

"Patuloy niyo lang panindigan ang karapatan niyong magsalita. Kasama niyo ako at karamihan sa ating mamamayan. I salute and embrace you."

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan also expressed support to celebrities who are using their voice to spread awareness on the rights of women and children. He stressed that progressives should not be tagged as communists and terrorists.

Pangilinan's daughter Frankie has also become a prominent voice on Twitter as a women's rights advocate.

"Ayon sa Saligang Batas, ang Armed Forces of the Philippines ang magtatanggol sa taumbayan, hindi maniniil. Protector, not oppressor. These threatening statements are uncalled for and unprofessional and should be called out," Pangilinan said.

"Hindi krimen ang magpahayag ng opinyon kung paano mapabuti ang Pilipinas,” he added. —KBK, GMA News