Expect more lies, red-tagging excesses as NTF-ELCAC taps additional spokespersons -Zarate
More lies will be spread and a overdrive in red-tagging activities should be expected by the public following the reported decision of the National Task Force to Eliminate Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to assign more spokespersons to unload Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. and Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy of their usual chores.
House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate made this assertion as he chided the NTF-ELCAC for its decision to appoint additional spokesperson to represent the anti-communist entity.
Zarate warned the public to expect “an overdrive in its red-tagging activities and spreading of disinformation and fake news. Worse, this may even lead to more trumped-up charges and EJKs."
"Increasing its spokespersons is also a means for the overbudgeted agency to just defuse the criticisms that Parlade and Badoy-Partosa are taking for their continued lies,” he said in a statement.
The lawmaker added: “As it is though even if they increase their spokespersons to a hundred, mouthing statements that would not stand in court, then they are just further wasting taxpayers money and earning more condemnation.”
The opposition solon is among the lawmakers in the Lower House and the Senate who have sought to defund the NTF-ELCAC for its alleged “red-tagging activities” that have been targeting innocent individuals and progressive thinkers.
The last straw came when Parlade reportedly linked organizers of the Maginhawa community pantry to communist groups.
"We should stop this agency from spreading more lies and harassment because red tagging is very dangerous and targets the lives of individuals. Those who continue to do this should be held accountable because they are targetting everyone from the ordinary citizen, progressives, lawyers, media, church people and even elected officials," ended Rep.Zarate.