Senator Risa Hontiveros reacted to NTF-ELCAC spokesperson Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr’s warnings to Liza Soberano and Catriona Gray.
“Lt. General Parlade, when you sat in front of me during your appointment hearing, you were like a lamb. I gave you the benefit of the doubt during your promotion hearing because I believed that, just like my late husband Frank, you abide by the motto of the PMA: courage, integrity, and loyalty,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. earlier warned actress Liza Soberano concerning her support to the Gabriela Women’s Party, allegedly connected to communists rebels.
“Liza Soberano, there’s still a chance to abdicate that group. If you don’t, you will suffer the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira @ELLA, former Deputy Secretary-General of Gabriela Youth of UP Manila and defender of women’s rights, even against sexual predators amongst her comrades in the NPA unit she joined, which is clearly stated in her handwritten letter addressed to a certain @EMIL,” Parlade said.
The SolCom chief also gave the same warning to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
“The choice is yours, Liza, and so with you, Catriona…” he added.
Hontiveros reacts to Parlade’s warning on Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray
Hontiveros told the SolCom chief not to use his position as a general to threatened Soberano and Gray.
“Huwag mong gamitin ang kapangyarihan mo bilang heneral upang takutin at pagbantaan ang mga kababaihang ito. Your threats and harassment are unacceptable. By silencing them, pinapalampas mo ang karahasan, panggagahasa at pangaabuso na nararansan ng napakaraming Pilipino. This is a shame to your rank and to the PMA,” she said.
“I started as a young advocate for women’s rights, and married a military man and raised a family of 4 with him,” Hontivero added.
The senator also said she would not forget what Parlade did to Soberano and Gray and that she would prepare for their encounter in the Commission on Appointments.
“See you in the next round,” she said.
Hontiveros also sent a message to Soberano and Gray: “It is difficult and painful to be at the frontlines fighting beside persons oppressed by a norm that advocates rape, murder, and exploitation. But every time you speak up, another girl becomes braver, and another life is saved. I’m behind you every step of the way.”