An alleged former rebel claimed that Angel Locsin’s sister, Ella Colmenares, was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Gen Parlade is not lying. Ella Colmenares, the sister of Angel Locsin, was an NPA in Quezon, na-meet ko siya,” said Jeffrey Celis, aka Ka Eric, during the Senate hearing on the alleged red-tagging activities of military officials.
“Si Ella Colmenares, umalis ‘yan ‘di na siya mapipigilan so bumalik siya sa open mass movement pero CPP pa rin siya, she’s operating underground at alam ko nasa MAKIBAKA (Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan) siya sa Gabriela,” Celiz added.
Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade Jr. earlier claimed that Angel Locsin’s sister Ella Colmenares was an NPA member. He warned actress Liza Soberano and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray against supporting Gabriela Women’s Party.
Parlade even advised the Liza Soberano not to follow the path of one Ka Ella Colmenares.
“I am sure Angel Locsin and Neri Colmenares will not tell you this,” Parlade said.
Sister of Angel Locsin ‘Ka Ella’ an NPA – former rebel
Ella Colmenares denied Parlade’s accusations and defended Soberano and Gray against the military official’s accusations.
“SIR Parlade, bakit n’yo naman ako hinanay kina Liza Soberano, Catriona Gray at Angel Locsin? Feeling maganda tuloy ako ngayon!” said Colmenares.
“I do not have to defend myself as I have not done anything wrong, but I decided to speak up, not just for myself but also for my children, whose lives may have been endangered because of this reckless red-tagging being broadcasted on social media.”
“Yes, I believe in the protection of women’s rights and human rights, the same advocacies that Angel and Neri fight for, but so do millions of Filipinos across the country. That doesn’t mean that I’m a member of the NPA as what is being claimed,” she added.
Angel Locsin’s sister said, “Like many of you, I am an ordinary Filipino, a mother, living my life day to day, earning a living for my family for many years.”
“Practicing our constitutional rights that we are entitled of, expressing our opinions, and having a belief different from others does not entail that one should be red-tagged.”