Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., a controversial military officer known for his fiery anti-communist statement and was repeatedly accused of red-tagging activities, has resigned as spokesman of the national government's anti-communist insurgency task force.
This was confirmed by Parlade himself who said that he submitted his resignation to President Duterte almost a month ago.
"I want to ease the pressure to the NTF-ELCAC principals who are being questioned by legislators for designating me in spite of my being in the active service," said Parlade.
The NTF-ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) was created purposely to stamp out the presence of the Communist Party o the Philippines-New People's Army (CPP-NPA) which has been waging more than five decades of armed conflict against the government.
NTF-ELCAC has been very active in working for the surrender of communist rebels and their supporters in the countryside and initiated programs that include P20 million worth of development projects for every barangay that would be cleared of NPA presence.
It is also actively engaged in counter-propaganda against the communist rebels-- the part which dragged the entire task force in various controversies particularly due to statements of Parlade and another spokesperson, Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy.
The controversies that the two engaged into were mostly for red-tagging activities, which include identification of schools which are supposedly recruitment grounds for communist rebels and the red-tagging of some individuals.
Parlade insinuated that he was forced to resign as some senators repeatedly questioned his appointment as spokesman of NTF-ELCAC since he is currently a senior officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The senators cited a provision in the Constitution which prohibits appointment of military personnel to other government positions outside of the military.
"There are so many legal bases justifying my appointment as constitutional but I will not belabor myself with those. I am happy that there are now six more civilian NTF spokespersons who shall carry on the fight passionately and with conviction," said Parlade.
But Parlade said that even if Duterte approves his resignation, he will continue the fight against the communist rebels.
"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. Ngayon pa na patapos na sila? (Especially now they are losing)," said Parlade who is set to retire from the military service this month.
Parlade said Duterte is yet to act on his resignation.