The alleged red-tagging and threats by Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Parlade Jr. against those who petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) against the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) are not the official stand of the government.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Parlade is the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Southern Luzon Command (AFP-SolCom) and spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC).
In his comment, Solicitor General Jose C. Calida told the SC:
“According to the AFP and the NTF-ELCAC, the subject Facebook post is not the official statement or action of the AFP nor of the NTF-ELCAC.
“Accordingly, the AFP and the NTF ELCAC have no policy against any dissenters of any law enacted and being implemented by the government. Both agencies, in fact, remain committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting the constitutional rights of every Filipino, and serving the best interest of the country.”
Last Jan. 16, petitioners against ATA, particularly retired SC Justices Antonio T. Carpio and Conchita Carpio Morales, found a Facebook post under the name “Antonio Parlade” that carried a message directed against those assailing ATA.
Among other things, the FB post stated: “The SC will soon be hearing petitions against the Anti-Terror Law. Let’s be watchful of these individuals, groups, and organizations opposing a law that will protect our citizens from terrorists. What’s their agenda?”
The post also stated: “Shall the NTF-ELCAC accede? Shall we bend back in acquiescence? No, we have drawn the line. You decide where to sit. The Day of Judgment is upon you and the Filipino people, who have suffered enough from the malignant hands of the CPP NPA NDF of which you are part of, sit in Judgment. Very soon, blood debts will be settled. The long arm of the law will catch up on you and your supporters.”
But the social media post did not state who in particular it was referring to.
In their pleading, Carpio and Morales asked the SC compel the OSG to explain Parlade’s post which was perceived as red-tagging and threatening all the petitioners against ATA.
They also asked the SC to direct the OSG to explain Parlade’s basis for issuing the statements in a social media post.
Complying with the SC’ directive, Calida said the Facebook post did not bear the logos of the AFP-SolCom and NTF-ELCAC.
“The AFP and NTF-ELCAC, clearly, have no personal knowledge on the circumstances and intent behind its alleged posting,” he said.
He also said the Facebook post does not intend to interfere with the SC’s power to administer justice nor violate the rights of petitioners, of Carpio, Morales and other petitioners, under Section 4 of the Bill of Rights.
He pointed out that since Parlade made the Facebook post in his personal capacity, “there can be no violation of the Bill of Rights when committed by a private individual.”