Remulla on military's 'red-tagging' of outspoken women: OK ka lang, Parlade?

Cavite Governor JonVic Remulla on Monday took on Armed Forces of the Philippines' Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. for allegedly red-tagging outspoken women.

"Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. should be ashamed of himself. Threatening progressive and outspoken WOMEN who want to encourage a stronger feminist culture? That does NOT make them co-conspirators nor allies of the left wing," Remulla said in a post on Facebook.

Remulla said even Manila Mayor Isko Moreno who took down anti-red tarpaulins in his city was also tagged as a sympathizer.

"Kahit si Yorme na nagtanggal lamang ng mga posters ay tinagurian agad na sympathizer," he said.

"Ok ka lang, Parlade? Your train of thought and reasoning are preposterous and shifty. If you want to threaten the lives of public personalities, may I suggest that you try knocking out someone on the same weight class?" Remulla added.

The Cavite governor then said any anti-red poster put up in his province will be promptly taken down.

"Let me assure you that if you or any of your men put up any posters in the Province of Cavite, they will NOT last a day! I will personally lead the effort to tear your propaganda posters down," he said.

"Brand me a communist if you will but it is my sworn duty to defend Cavite’s record in holding the insurgency at bay," Remulla said.

The Cavite governor said no amount of slogans, red-tagging and threats will work in the campaign against communism.

"Rather, it is good governance as well as the sincerity and will to serve that shall triumph and prevail," he said.

Remulla also emphasized that he does not believe in communism nor does he sympathize with them.

"I am NOT a believer in Communism nor do I sympathize with them. I think it is a failed ideology that has become irrelevant in today’s modern world," he said.

The governor also said he is interested in what Parlade would say, and invited him to comment on his Facebook post.

"I would like to hear your thoughts. Leave your comment below and let’s discuss," Remulla said.

Parlade, who is also the spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, denied having a hand in the anti-red tarpaulins put up in the City of Manila.

"Who am I to put those tarpaulins referring to CPP-NPA-NDF as persona non grata? I'm just the spokesperson of the NTF-ELCAC. Coincidentally I'm also the head of the Southern Luzon Command," he said in a television interview on Monday.

Parlade also said if ever he will put up tarpaulins, he will put his name on them because he is not afraid to do so.

The NTF-ELCAC spokesperson also said it was not fair for Remulla to threaten him on Facebook that he will take down any such tarpaulin Parlade or his men will put up.

He however reiterated that the anti-red tarpaulins were not his.

"No, hindi ako 'yon. Hindi ko 'yon mandate. Hindi ako ganoon kayabang," he added.

Parlade earlier warned actress Liza Soberano for supporting Gabriela Women's Party, which the military claims is a front organization of communist rebels.

The military official also gave the same warning to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

"The choice is yours, Liza and so with you, Catriona," Parlade added.

The SolCom chief however later said he was not red-tagging Soberano, but expressed belief that the actress was being "exploited" by the Gabriela Women's Party.

The Department of National Defense on Sunday said the government merely warned Soberano from involving herself with Gabriela Women's Party, but admitted that association with the group does not necessarily mean support for its "ideology." —KG, GMA News