House bloc to AFP: Burden of proof falls on Parlade in accusing journalist

The House of Representatives'  Makabayan Bloc on Thursday said the Philippine military should not pass the burden of proof to journalist Tetch Torres-Tupas after she was criticized and branded as "propagandist" by Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade, Jr.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should not treat Gen. Antonio Parlade with kid gloves and pass the burden of proof of his wrongdoing to journalist Tetch Torres-Tupas," the group said in a statement.

"Why is it that it is the red-tagging victim is the one being pressured by the AFP?" it added.

AFP chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana had said Parlade's accusation against the justice beat reporter is already being probed. However, he said the "burden of denial" is on Tupas to disprove Parlade's claims against her.

Parlade has been criticized for hinting that he would file charges against Tupas over the latter's article about the alleged abuse of the military against members of the Aeta community.

It turned out that report was just based on a petition filed before the Supreme Court.

Later, the military official apologized and clarified that he had no plans to push through with suing Torres-Tupas.

Makabayan had condemned Parlade's remarks against Tupas, and also called for the general's dismissal. It noted that Parlade's attacks have put at risk the lives of certain individuals and groups.

"After naming 18 schools in the so-called Red October plot, tagging members of the media in the defense beat, artists and celebrities like Angel Locsin, Liza Soberano and Catriona Gray, the UP Community, 38 other schools he claimed to be recruitment hubs of the NPA, activists and progressive organizations, alternative media outlets and the petitioners and lawyers of the Anti-Terror Law, without even an ounce of credible evidence, enough is enough for General Parlade," Makabayan Bloc said.

"The statements and attacks from General Parlade against activists, journalists, lawyers, teachers, the youth, and many others give face to the use of the Anti-Terrorism Act [ATA] to stifle dissent, free speech, and press freedom," the group added.

ATA is now under question before the Supreme Court.  —LBG, GMA News