THE MANGAHAS INTERVIEWS

Roque admits lapses in government campaign vs. Reds, drugs

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has admitted government "lapses" in its campaign against communist rebels, terrorists and illegal drugs.

In The Mangahas Interviews, Roque cited as example the issue on red-tagging that has hounded the military after some personalities and groups were linked to communist rebels apparently without strong proof.

He mentioned Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana telling Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. to be careful with his statements linking personalities and groups to communist rebels.

"In fairness again kay Secretary Lorenzana naman, ilang beses na niyang pinagsabihan si General Parlade, mag-ingat ka, at ilang beses na rin dumistansiya 'yung Department of National Defense sa mga binigkas na salita ni General Parlade," Roque told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas.

Parlade is the commander of the military's Southern Luzon Command and spokesperson for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Roque said this shows that military spokespersons can sometimes issue statements that are "far from the truth."

"So alam natin na minsan na maraming sinasabi 'yung mga spokesperson ng Hukbong Sandatahan na malayo sa katotohahan, at yung mga sinasabi ni Secretary Lorenzana ay nag-attest na nagkakamali 'yung mga opisyales na iyan," Roque said.

"So ang latest order ni Secretary Lorenzana ay maging maingat at panagutin 'yung mga nagsasalita kung wala silang ebidensya."

Noting Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra's recent statements, including his admission of protocol violations in the government's war on drugs, Roque said this shows that the government is not perfect.

"Para sa akin 'yan ay pagkilala na hindi tayo perpekto, na meron talagang lapses at meron talagang dapat parusahan," he said.

He, however, added that there is no guarantee that the government can ensure that human rights violations will not be committed in its campaign. What is important, he said, is that those responsible for it will be penalized under the law. —KBK, GMA News