Parlade resigns from NTF-ELCAC ahead of retirement

Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr., the controversial leader of the military's Southern Luzon Command (SolCom), has resigned from the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Parlade told GMA News Online on Thursday that he resigned from NTF-ELCAC "a month ago" to ease the pressure on the task force's leaders who are being questioned by lawmakers about his designation as its spokesperson.

“Yes, I have submitted my letter of resignation addressed to the President almost a month ago,” Parlade said in a text message.

“I want to ease the pressure to the NTF ELCAC principals who are being questioned by legislators for designating me in spite my being in the active service.”

It was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said who earlier bared that Parlade left NTF-ELCAC “many weeks ago.”

Lorenzana said he does not know if NTF-ELCAC will hire Parlade again after his retirement on July 26.

“He has resigned from ELCAC many weeks ago. I don’t know if he will be hired by the NTF,” Lorenzana told GMA News Online in a text message.

Asked if the task force will hire Parlade again, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. told GMA News Online in a text message, “Why? All is well.”

Esperon said Parlade can “continue speaking out against the communist terrorists as he covers a huge area of operations as ComSolCom - Regions 4A and 5 as well as MIMAROPA minus Palawan.”

Appointment legal

Despite his resignation, Parlade maintained that there are many legal bases justifying his appointment as constitutional but, he said, he will not belabor himself with these.

He said that he is glad to have six more civilian spokespersons for the task force.

“Even then, I want to assure our critics that I am not running away from this fight. As a citizen of this country it behooves on me to continue with my patriotic duty to defend our country and end the 52 years onslaught of the CPP NPA terrorists, whatever legal way I can,” Parlade said, referring to the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army.

After his resignation, Parlade said he “will be around.”

Controversial general

Parlade received criticism from several organizations and lawmakers for red-tagging or linking personalities and groups to communist rebels. These personalities include actresses Liza Soberano and Angel Locsin.

Because of his controversial statements, some groups and personalities, among them lawmakers, wanted him out of NTF-ELCAC.

The Senate Committee on National Defense, in a recommendation following an investigation, has recommended Parlade's removal as NTF-ELCAC spokesperson.

Meanwhile, replacing Parlade as SolCom chief would be Major General Bartolome "Bob" Bacarro, according to Lorenzana.

Lorenzana said President Rodrigo Duterte has already signed Bacarro's appointment as Solcom commander. He will assume the post on July 26 when Parlade retires.  —KBK/BM, GMA News