AFP investigating Parlade over remarks vs. journalist — Sobejana

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched a probe on Southern Luzon Command chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. over his remarks against a journalist, military chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana said Tuesday.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Sobejana said it was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana who directed him to start the investigation.

“Inatasan ko ‘yung aking chief ng Provost Marshall na makipagugnayan sa NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) particularly ‘yung strategic communication committee,” he said.

“Alamin kung ‘yung bang sinasabi ni General Parlade sa public ay with the blessing of the said committee,” he added.

Asked about possible steps to address issues involving Parlade, Sobejena said they will give him due process as they consider that Parlade also serves as spokesperson of NTF-ELCAC.

“Hindi natin malaman kung itong mga sinasabi ba ni General Parlade ay by blessing ng strategic committee ng naturang task force,” he said.

“Dahil mahirap naman, kami [ay] subordinate unit of the task force. Being an integral part of it tapos iimbestigahan mo, hindi, kumbaga it should not be the thing, the proper way of doing it,” he added.

Parlade welcomed the action of AFP over the issue.

“That’s welcome. It’s within the mandate of the CSAFP (chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Parlade told GMA News Online in a text message.

In a Facebook post, Parlade earlier denounced Inquirer.net’s Tetch Torres-Tupas for her story on two Aeta community members who sought help from the Supreme Court after being allegedly tortured by state forces.

“Congratulations for a sloppy work Tetch Torres-Tupas of Inquirer.net. You did not even bother to check the side of the AFP and gov't if what you are reporting is true or FAKE. Propagandista. No such thing happened. That unit is not even there but in Davao,” Parlade said.

When asked by a netizen if charges could be filed against Torres-Tupas, Parlade replied: “Aiding the terrorists by spreading lies? Puwede.”

Earlier in the day, Parlade apologized to Tupas.

“Just to assure Ms. Tupas that we mean no harm on her, yeah, I'd like to say sorry to those circulating in the news that I am fettering her. I am not,” Parlade said.

“Ang lumalabas parang natatakot na si Tetch for my statement. That is also because of how the media portays this issue. But personally, wala akong intensyon kay Tetch na ganyan ang maramdaman niya,” he added.

According to him, his statements are personal and have nothing to do with the anti-insurgency task force. — RSJ, GMA News