AFP denies red-tagging actress Liza Soberano

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday denied that one of its commanders red-tagged actress Liza Soberano and other women's rights defenders, saying they were only worried her advocacies may be taken advantage of by communist insurgents.

“We are not saying that Ms. Soberano is a member of NPA,” Armed Forces spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

“[B]ut we are worried that she and her genuine advocacies may just be used by some sectors with reported links to the underground movements in recruiting for the CTG owing to her popularity,” he added.

Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. warned Soberano regarding her support of the Gabriela Women's Party.

Parlade said Soberano is "not yet" a member of the New People's Army and that she and other celebrities should be educated on the "hidden violent agenda" of Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan, which he claimed is an underground group hiding behind the Gabriela Women's Party.

In response, Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas said Parlade should stop red-tagging and mansplaining Soberano

However, the AFP maintained that recruitment among students, youth leaders, and influencers is not propaganda.

“[I]t is real. Student leaders Lapira; Manalo; et al. who figured and died during Armed encounters with soldiers were testaments to this deadly trail. The fact that Hands Off Our Children came about is a truth to tell,” Arevalo said.

The AFP said it had an obligation to fight and defeat communist terrorists.

“But before we reached that point, we trail our focus on prevention. Hence the effort to inform Ms. Soberano and educate the netizens,” Arevalo said.

“And this sworn duty of protecting our people is what we in the AFP cannot abdicate knowing the stories of many young and idealist student leaders who were dragged into the ranks of the CTG,” he added.

Parlade also denied red-tagging Soberano. — DVM, GMA News