‘Protect the people, don’t threaten them,’ Pangilinan tells AFP agents

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) must protect people and not threaten their safety, said Senator Francis Pangilinan.

Pangilinan said this while criticizing the head of Luzon Southern Command, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parade Jr., for “labeling in red” actresses Liza Soberano, Angel Locsin, beauty queen Catriona Gray, and other activists for speaking out against him. harassment of women.

“The red label by the military of actress Liza Soberano, former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, actress Angel Locsin and other activists is unfounded and endangers their lives and safety,” Pangilinan tweeted on Thursday.

According to the Constitution, the Armed Forces of the Philippines must protect the people, not oppress (According to the Constitution, the Armed Forces of the Philippines must protect the people, not oppress). Protector, not oppressor. “

“These threatening statements are unjustified and unprofessional and must be reported,” he said.

Pangilinan recalled that his daughter Frankie has also been labeled as a leftist for carrying the bail of those who were arrested for queuing to receive food rations and organizing a protest in Sitio San Roque, Quezon City.

“What the hell? Liza just spoke, threatened with death. He is the one who was raped and threatened with rape, will he be afraid? Said the opposition senator.

Defenders and progressives should not be confused with communists and terrorists. They speak to express and empower. How did Liza become a communist when she only asked about the abuses our youth and women are experiencing (How did Liza become a communist when she only asked about the experiences of our women and children)?

“It is not a crime to express an opinion on how to improve the Philippines (It is not a crime to express opinions on how to improve our situation in the Philippines),” he continued.

Sen. Leila de Lima also hit Parlade’s comments on Friday, which she saw as an attempt to silence dissent and expressions against the abuse of women.

“It was very obvious): they are labeled red to muzzle. They didn’t even bother to save face (they didn’t even bother to save face), ”De Lima said.

“What happens to women that decorated soldiers and trash-talking officials shudder with fear when they speak? Stop telling women how to behave in the face of blatant oppression. Every time you tell us to shut up, the more we talk, “he added.

Parlade previously issued a statement that apparently labeled Sovereign in the communist movement after he spoke at a virtual forum organized by the Gabriela Youth. Soberano addressed the problems faced by women and children amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his experience with a netizen whom he accused of sexual harassment.

Although the military man appealed to government supporters not to label the actress red, he warned Sovereign to distance himself from the group or “you will suffer the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira.” He later denied labeling the actress red.

Lapira was one of the alleged communist rebels killed in an armed encounter reported in Batangas in 2017.