Parlade apologizes to journalist for triggering fear over legal threat involving terrorism

Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. on Tuesday apologized to a journalist after he hinted of suing her for supposedly aiding terrorists.

Parlade, who is also spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), clarified he did not intend to scare Inquirer.net’s Tetch Torres-Tupas.

“Just to assure Ms. Tupas that we mean no harm on her, yeah, I'd like to say sorry to those circulating in the news that I am fettering her. I am not,” Parlade said in an interview on ANC.

“Ang lumalabas parang natatakot na si Tetch for my statement. That is also because of how the media portays this issue. But personally, wala akong intensyon kay Tetch na ganyan ang maramdaman niya,” he added when asked what he was apologizing for.

In a Facebook post, he earlier denounced Tupas for her story on two Aeta community members who sought help from the Supreme Court after being allegedly tortured by state forces.

“Congratulations for a sloppy work Tetch Torres-Tupas of Inquirer.net. You did not even bother to check the side of the AFP and gov't if what you are reporting is true or FAKE. Propagandista. No such thing happened. That unit is not even there but in Davao,” Parlade said.

When asked by a netizen if charges could be filed against Torres-Tupas, Parlade replied: “Aiding the terrorists by spreading lies? Puwede.”

Parlade also clarified that he has no plan to file a case against Tupas. He said he was just saying that it is possible to file a case against her.

The official also apologized for dragging the NTF-ELCAC into the issue as he clarified that his statements against Tupas are only personal.

Parlade said he is open to personally talking to Tupas and the management of Inquirer.net. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News