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Lacson sees “arrogance” on NTF-ELCAC head Esperon’s decision to keep Parlade as spox
By HANA BORDEY, GMA NewsSenator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said there was “air of arrogance” on the part of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) after it kept Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. as its spokesperson.
“Arogante ang dating sa amin (Their action shows arrogance) and it will cost them,” Lacson said in a virtual interview with reporters.
This came after the NTF-ELCAC appointed six more spokespersons
to explain the anti-insurgency body’s efforts despite senators’ call to relieve Parlade from his post due to violations of the Constitution.“Why do they need eight spokespersons? Para bang nananadya ‘yung dating sa amin. Kine-question na nga namin ‘yung isang spokesperson (We are questioning one of their spokesperson and then they appointed six more) ,” he pointed out.
Asked if the “arrogant” remark was for NTF-ELCAC vice chairperson and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, the lawmaker said “yes” as he was the one who designated new spokespersons for the task force.
“Parang mayroong somehow, whatever the purpose of designating additional spokesperson, parang ang dating sa amin, ‘di maiiwasan rightly and wrongly, na ‘Gusto tanggalan kami ng spokesperson? Magdadagdag pa kami’ parang ganyan ang dating. ‘Gagawin pa naming walo. Kaya nga sabi ko parang may air of arrogance,” he explained.
Lacson also lamented that his fellow cavaliers in the Philippine Military Academy are not keeping their word.
He recalled an April 27 conversation with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana where he said they plan to ease out Parlade from the NTF-ELCAC.
Lacson also said Esperon committed to relieve Parlade but before the latter retires on July 26.
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The lawmaker pointed out that Parlade should be relieved immediately as he can be re-hired as NTF-ELCAC’s spokesperson after his retirement from the military service.
“Really, it doesn’t make sense. He will be pulled out before he retires? There is no constitutional infirmity if you rehire him after he retires. Baliktad ang ginawa nila,” he said in an ANC interview.
On Monday, Lacson warned that the NTF-ELCAC’s latest decision will cost them, noting that he was their “most reliable ally in the Senate” as he sponsors their annual budget.
In March, the Senate recommended the removal of Parlade as NTF-ELCAC’s spokesman.
This was part of the national defense panel's report on its inquiry into incidents of "red-tagging.”
However, Parlade disregarded the Senate recommendation, and said it is up to the Executive Department to decide on the matter.—AOL, GMA News