Parlade denies red-tagging UP CMC
MANILA – A ranking military official and member of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) on Wednesday denied identifying the University of the PhilippinesCollege of Mass Communication (UP CMC) as a communist-front organization.
The clarification was issued by Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, Jr., in a rejoinder to Ellen Tordesilla's article posted on ABS CBN news website’s opinion section on May 18, 2020.
"Once again, for the record, I never said UP CMC (University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication) is a front organization. CEGP (College Editors Guild of the Philippines), NUJP (National Union of Journalists of the Philippines), and NUJP (Union of Journalists of the Philippines) are. Media is not the enemy. But if you are a member of 'ARMAS' or 'KM' then you are an enemy and we will hold you responsible if anything happens to these neophytes in CMC," he said referring to Artista at Manunulat ng Sambayanan and Kabataang Makabayan.
Parlade, who is Southern Luzon Command chief, challenged Tordesillas to show proof that it was his press statement which alleged that the UP CMC is a front for the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
“So, Ellen are you now part of those willing to be exploited by the CPP to vilify the NTF ELCAC? Obviously you did not research well, again. Or were you just too eager to react to the falsehoods fed to you by your colleagues who are members of ARMAS, the underground organization hiding under the CPP created, and led NUJP and CEGP? Many of them, I am sure, have been former KM members during their student days,” he added in a statement.
Red-baiting, he said, is an old tactic of the CPP
in leading detractors to the trap of "lumping all activists as Reds.
“We know it’s not true but you want us to commit that mistake. You only wish I will commit that mistake, so even if I didn’t, you assumed. So check again,” he added.
He also refuted claims that the media is the government’s enemy adding that such moves are done by the communist rebels and their allies as part of their classic agitation propaganda.
"They are agitating all media, including those who have nothing to do with the CPP to rally with them in accusing the government of suppressing freedom of speech. Classic agit-prop which we already warned you about," he said.
Rather than brand media as their enemy, Parlade said they have been advising media practitioners to be careful of being exploited by these CPP cadres hiding behind legal front organizations.
"Are we fighting with UP CMC? No, but that's what the CPP agitators want you to believe. And then they will complain of red-tagging," he said.
He added that the NTF ELCAC is not stupid to redtag an entire college that is a tactic of CPP founder Jose Maria "Joma" Sison.
"That's what he wanted UP to be known for – a breeding ground for commies. That’s not our doing," he said.
He said it is their job to warn media practitioners to stay away from those violent communist terrorists whom he claims have been instigating media practitioners to pick up a fight with the government.
"We sternly warn you that the CPP will exploit your threats and pronouncements. We will remind you once more, what the NPAs are capable of doing," he added.
The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)