Army general sued for ‘red-tagging’ lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines  — A militant lawmaker has filed criminal and administrative charges against Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Southern Luzon commander Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. for allegedly “red-tagging” the Makabayan bloc of party-list lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

In a 32-page complaint filed recently before the Office of the Ombudsman, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate sought the indictment of the controversial Army general for violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The lawmaker also asked the ombudsman to order the dismissal from service of Parlade for grave misconduct and political activity in violation of the Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code).

“Respondent Parlade, during campaign and election period, has been actively and publicly red-baiting me and Bayan Muna, maliciously labeling me and Bayan Muna as ‘legal fronts’ of the CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) and urged the electorate and the public not to vote for Bayan Muna and the rest of Makabayan candidates,” Zarate alleged in his complaint furnished to House reporters yesterday.

Zarate, a deputy minority leader in the Lower House, claimed that the general “acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and inexcusable negligence” and “caused Bayan Muna undue injury during campaign and election period.”

The lawmaker said Parlade continued to “red-tag” and vilify their group even after the elections.

For these grounds, Zarate sought Parlade’s immediate suspension from office. Elizabeth Marcelo