By Kiko Demigillo
(July 1, 2021) – The Malacañang on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the resignation of Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. as the spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Parlade said he submitted his letter of resignation almost a month ago. He hinted that his decision was made after his appointment to the post was heavily criticized.
“I want to ease the pressure to the NTF-ELCAC principals who are being questioned by legislators for designating me in spite my being in the active service. There are so many legal bases justifying my appointment as constitutional but I will not belabor myself with those,” said Parlade in a text message to reporters.
According to the Malacañang, Department of National Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana was privy to the development.
“Tinanggap (ni Pangulong Duterte) ang resignation ni General Parlade as spokesperson of NTF-ELCAC. So that’s what I was able to confirm from Secretary Lorenzana,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a press briefing.
The controversial Parlade, who has been heavily criticized for his baseless accusations and rampant red-tagging, will reach his mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 26.
His position in the NTF-ELCAC has been repeatedly questioned since an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cannot hold a government position.
Parlade said even if he’s not part of the NTF-ELCAC anymore, he will continue the fight against communist groups in the country.
“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 (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army) terrorists, whatever legal way I can. Ngayon pa na patapos na sila?” claimed Parlade.
Another huge controversy involving Parlade was during the height of the community pantries last April. Parlade, without presenting substantial evidence, linked them to the CPP-NPA. He even compared organizers to Satan.
Lorenzana also confirmed that Duterte has appointed Major Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, a Medal of Valor awardee, as the new commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command, replacing Parlade.
Sen. Ping Lacson, meanwhile, who has called out Parlade in the past, expressed his gratitude for the latter’s service and maintained his stance that the NTF-ELCAC is still necessary to counter communist insurgency in the country.
“There is no question about his passion to do his role in ending the longest-running insurgency in Asia and I still believe that the NTF-ELCAC is a long-overdue solution to the ‘water lily’ tactical maneuvers being employed by the CPP-NPA to maintain their influence over previously cleared barangays,” said Lacson in a statement. (PM)
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