Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana slammed retired general Antonio Parlade Jr. on Tuesday night, March 15, for allegedly involving the military in his personal agenda to call for a revolutionary government.
“We, at the Department of Defense, denounce the attempt by Lt. Gen. Parlade to involve the Department especially the AFP of the Philippines in airing his personal grievances and his call for a revolutionary government,” Lorenzana said in a strongly worded statement.
“As citizens of a democratic country, all Filipinos are entitled to freedom of expression butthis should be done through proper grievance mechanisms,” he added.
The Defense chief issued the remark after initially instructing the AFP to ignore Parlade’s calls for a revolutionary government supposedly to solve the corruption in the government earlier in the day.
Parlade, a former spokesperson of the anti-communist task force, led retired military generals and civilians supporting the declaration of a revolutionary government in an assembly at the People Power Monument along EDSA in Quezon City on Tuesday morning.
He cited the “excessive power and autonomy” supposedly given by the 1987 Constitution to certain constitutional bodies such as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the government which makes check and balance impossible to happen.
Parlade ran for president in the May 9 elections but was disqualified by the Comelec because he substituted to an independent candidate, making his presidential bid invalid.
For his part, Lorenzana said that the DND will continue to adhere to the Constitutional authority while fully respecting the mandates of democratic institutions.
“We remain committed to do our solemn duty to the nation,” he said.
Lorenzana also reiterated his directive to the AFP to remain apolitical and neutral ahead of the May polls.
“The Constitution forbids any active military personnel from engaging in partisan politics or supporting any candidates. We will ensure that this is followed and enforced,” Lorenzana stated.